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More than 300 senior executives from Japanese enterprises attended the investment environment seminar jointly held by Hong Kong and Zhaoqing (Guangdong province) in Tokyo today (July 5). The half-day event provided the latest information on the investment environment of the two Greater Pearl River Delta (Greater PRD) cities and useful tips on the best way to leverage their combined advantages when investing in Southern China.
The seminar was organised by Invest Hong Kong of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the People's Government of Zhaoqing Municipality of the People's Republic of China.
Mr Li Bing, Second Secretary, Commerce Section of the Chinese Embassy and Mrs Jennie Chok, Principal Representative, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Tokyo, delivered remarks respectively to welcome the audience.
The first keynote speaker, Invest Hong Kong's Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Mike Rowse remarked, ¡§Japan is one of the most active foreign investors in Hong Kong. As at the end of 2005, total accumulated Japanese investment in Hong Kong reached US$16.9 billion. Over 730 Japanese enterprises operating in Hong Kong have set up their regional headquarters or offices in our city. They make effective use of Hong Kong's various advantages ¡V our excellent geographical location, world-class infrastructure, low level of corruption, professional business services and a well-established business network - to develop their businesses in the Mainland.¡¨
Mr Rowse continued, ¡§Japanese and other overseas companies often locate their labour intensive functions in the modern industrial cities in the PRD, such as Zhaoqing, which have highly developed their production capabilities over the years. With the proximity of Hong Kong and Zhaoqing, Japanese companies can conveniently enjoy the combined advantages of the two cities.¡¨
The Mayor of Zhaoqing Municipal Government, Mr Yang Haoming promoted Zhaoqing city in the meeting. He said, ¡§Zhaoqing locates in the mid-western part of Guangdong Province, only 100 kilometres away from Guangzhou. It is within one-hour of greater Guangzhou and is only three hours drive to Hong Kong and Macao. Our city has become a popular destination for foreign investment, as our outward looking economy has been developing rapidly in recent years. In addition, Zhaoqing has been recognised as one of the Hundred Best Cities for Investment in China.¡¨
¡§By the end of 2006, the number of investment projects by Japanese companies in Zhaoqing has grown to 28, with a total investment amount of US$114 million. These investments include spare parts for automobiles, electronics, machine casting, food, forest chemicals, logistics and warehousing. Zhaoqing warmly welcomes more Japanese investors to visit, investigate and set up business in the city,¡¨ added Mr Yang.
The seminar programme included case study presentations by Mr Tetsu Ueki, Managing Director, Zhaoqing Honda Foundry Co Ltd and Mr Akira Matsumoto, Director, Honko Seikosho co Ltd who shared practical investment tips with Japanese companies. President of M&C South China Ltd, Mr Masumi Mizuno, provided advice on doing business in Hong Kong and the PRD, while the Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Japan, Ms Shigemi Furuta explained the organisation¡¦s services to help expand companies¡¦ China business. Finally, Mr Tang Haizhou, Director of the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Zhaoqing City, briefed participants on services provided by the Bureau.
Ends/Thursday, July 5, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:40
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