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Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (October 29) hosted a "Hong Kong - Your Platform to Go Global" seminar in Mianyang, Sichuan Province, encouraging local companies to leverage Hong Kong's business advantages to access overseas markets through Hong Kong.
The seminar showcased Hong Kong's business advantages and the opportunities presented to Mainland companies, updating Sichuan company representatives on how their companies could expand overseas via Hong Kong. The event was organised by InvestHK, and co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu (CDETO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the Mianyang Bureau of Commerce, the Mianyang Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Mianyang Committee and the Mianyang Federation of Industry and Commerce. The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Simon Galpin; the Mayor of the Mianyang People's Government, Mr Liu Chao; and the Director of the CDETO, Mr Danny Lau, gave opening remarks during the seminar.
In outlining Hong Kong's enduring business advantages, Dr Galpin said, "Hong Kong is known for having a business-friendly environment, free flow of capital and information, free trade and a free market economy, and a deep pool of international talent, coupled with world-class infrastructure, a sound and independent legal system, and a low and stable tax regime. Against this backdrop, it serves as an ideal testing ground for Mainland companies to 'go global'."
He continued, "Sichuan Province is a leading economic development area in the western part of the Mainland of China, while Hong Kong, as an international city in Asia, has a well-developed modern service industry and offers effective financial, insurance, accounting and legal services, making it an ideal location for corporate treasury centres for Mainland companies. In 2014, Hong Kong ranked second in global foreign direct investment inflows for the first time. Under the 'Belt and Road' initiative, Hong Kong as a 'super-connector' between Mainland China and the rest of the world could provide professional services to Mainland enterprises such as financing, logistics and transportation, as well as legal services. InvestHK will strengthen the co-operation with the provinces and cities along the routes and jointly organise investment promotion activities to encourage companies in the regions to use Hong Kong as the platform to 'go global' and promote Hong Kong as the important hub."
The Investment Promotion Manager in Chengdu of InvestHK, Miss Connie Yu, also gave a presentation during the seminar, highlighting Hong Kong's business advantages and opportunities, examples of successful Mainland companies setting up in Hong Kong and various types of free services and assistance that InvestHK offers to Sichuan companies that intend to set up in Hong Kong and "go global".
Other speakers at the seminar included Director (China Tax and Business Advisory Services), PricewaterhouseCoopers Consultants (Shenzhen) Limited, Chengdu Branch, Mr William Xu; Representative of Southern China, Mainland Division, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Ms Angela Liu; and Immigration Officer, CDETO, Miss Lam Ka-yu. They briefed participants on how Hong Kong's tax advantages benefit local enterprises to "go global", Mainland enterprises listing in Hong Kong, the latest developments on the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, and visa arrangements for entry to Hong Kong from the Mainland, encouraging enterprises in Sichuan to expand overseas using Hong Kong's facilities and services sectors.
Following the first seminar in Mianyang, the InvestHK delegation will head to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, to host the second seminar tomorrow (October 30) under the same theme, presenting to local companies and entrepreneurs Hong Kong's business advantages as the best platform to "go global".
About Invest Hong Kong
InvestHK is the department of the HKSAR Government established in July 2000 to attract 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 June 2015, InvestHK had assisted over 3 700 companies which have created more than 40 200 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over $99 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For the event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157659629867938 .
Ends/Thursday, October 29, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:20
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