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Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (DOFTEC) of Guangdong Province and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute joinly held a seminar in Berlin yesterday (November 5, Berlin time) to promote their combined business advantages for German enterprises looking to expand in the three strategic locations located in the Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD).
The seminar, entitled "Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao: Your Business Partners in China" was launched with welcome remarks by the Head of Unit of European and International Co-operation from the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Technology and Research, Dr Rainer Seider. Opening remarks followed from the minister counsellor of the economic and commercial counsellor's office of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, Mr Meng Fanzhuang. Keynote speeches were delivered by the Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Miss Victoria Tang; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, Mr Chen Yuehua; and the head of the investor service department of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Thomas Ng.
In her speech to more than 250 senior business executives, Miss Tang highlighted Hong Kong's strategic location and its enduring advantages. She said, "Over the years, Hong Kong has evolved as an efficient international gateway both into and out of Mainland China, and as our nation has opened up to the world, Hong Kong has also leveraged on its deep pool of international talent and knowledge of the Mainland market, and transitioned into a new role as a connector between the Mainland and the international community."
She continued to outline the list of enduring advantages Hong Kong offers including its strategic location close to Mainland China and major Asian markets, the rule of law, and the low and simple tax regime and free flows of people, capital, information and ideas, plus new opportunities arising from the continued integration of the Mainland and Hong Kong economies and the city's role as a premier offshore Renminbi business centre.
"Hong Kong is hence the perfect place for German companies, large and small, to tap the enormous Mainland China market," Miss Tang added. She said that at least 550 German companies are currently doing business in Hong Kong. In recent years, German companies active in the green technology, medical technology and e-commerce sectors have moved into Hong Kong, as well as those in the traditional areas like the machinery, automotive, chemistry and financial sectors. As at the end of 2012, Germany was Hong Kong's largest trading partner of the European Union Member States with a total trade value amounting to over HK$135 billion.
Mr Chen said, "Guangdong is committed to the Happy Guangdong campaign, which aims to accelerate the province's economic development and hence will bring tremendous opportunities for German investors and traders."
Mr Ng said, "Macao has been moving forward to becoming a world tourism and leisure destination and an economic and trade co-operation platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as promoting the city's moderate economic diversification."
Other speakers at the seminar included the Managing Director of W.O.M. World Of Medicine, Mr Stefan Kürbis, and a representative from DOFTEC of Guangdong Province who gave presentations about various German businesses that had quickly and successfully expanded into Hong Kong and the GPRD. The Chairman of Fiducia Management Consultants, Mr Jürgen Kracht, shared practical tips on doing business in the Hong Kong and Mainland markets.
About InvestHK
InvestHK is the department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As at September 2, 2013, InvestHK had completed 3,000 investment projects creating 33,950 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over HK$78.6 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157637180319675/.
Ends/Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:16
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