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Invest Hong Kong of the Hong Kong SAR Government, in collaboration with the Fujian Provincial Government, organised an Investment Environment Seminar in Fuzhou, Fujian Province today (August 25) as part of the "Fujian - Hong Kong Week" programme.

The one-day event aimed to promote Hong Kong as an ideal platform for Mainland enterprises to expand internationally --in line with China's "Going Out" strategy.

Associate Director-General of Invest Hong Kong, Ms Ophelia Tsang, delivered the keynote address at the seminar. She introduced Hong Kong as Asia's World City and gave an account on Hong Kong's investment environment.

Ms Tsang was extremely pleased about the strong interest and response from mainland companies to these promotion events. She said, "The recently signed Closer Economic Partnership Agreement will facilitate additional business between Hong Kong and the Mainland, especially in the services and in the high value-added manufacturing sectors. It will also accelerate Hong Kong's economic integration with the Mainland."

"The proximity to Hong Kong makes it very easy for Fujian companies to use our city as the gateway to global markets, taking advantage of our first-class business infrastructure, free flow of goods and information, liquid capital markets and strong regulatory environment.

"In the past 18 months, Invest Hong Kong has actively promoted these advantages in key Chinese cities such as Beijing, Nanjing, Xiamen, Jinan and Chengdu. We will organise additional seminars in the coming months to provide information and advice to mainland companies planning to expand abroad," Ms Tsang added.

Other seminar speakers include Partner of KPMG, Mr Jack Chow; Ms Sally Fan from P.C. Woo & Co; Chairman of Golden Meditech Company Limited, Mr Kam Yuen; and Principal Assistant Secretary (Works) of Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government, Mr Helius Ng.

Jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the People's Government of Fujian Province, the "Fujian - Hong Kong Week" takes place in Fuzhou from August 21 to 27. The event features a variety of business-related seminars and workshops. The target audience are government officials, as well as leading executives from state-owned and private enterprises.

End/Monday, August 25, 2003

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