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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels, organised a business seminar in Dublin on March 30 (Irish time). The seminar "Hong Kong - Your high speed connection to China opportunities", which was attended by over a hundred local businessmen, aimed to give Irish businessmen first hand information about Hong Kong's latest economic developments and how Hong Kong can help Irish companies seize the many business opportunities in China and Asia.
Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Communities, Miss Mary Chow, stressed that there were still plenty of opportunities for those prepared to seize them. "Now is a good time to make a move in order to be well placed as soon as business in our part of the world takes off again," she said.
Highlighting the advantages that Hong Kong can offer to businesses, Miss Chow listed among others its geographical location which has made it a bridge between China and the rest of the world, its simple and low tax system, its legal protection for contracts and intellectual property rights, its rich expertise and experience in supporting foreign companies interested in entering the Chinese market, and its comprehensive range of business support services.
Miss Chow encouraged Irish companies to make use of the network of organisations, including Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, that can help them every step of the way in setting up their business ventures in Hong Kong.
Regional Director Europe, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Ms Lore Buscher, highlighted Hong Kong's advantages as a market for Irish companies, and an ideal partner for developing the China market. Ms Buscher also introduced the full range of HKTDC services available to Irish businesses.
Senior Investment Promotion Executive, Invest Hong Kong, Mr Siegfried Verstappen, further elaborated on the advantages that Hong Kong offers to investors. "Hong Kong offers strategic advantages to those companies wishing to expand their business activities, not only in Mainland China, but in the Asia Pacific Region. Its key location grants access to the countries in the region within five hours' flight, making Hong Kong the preferred location for regional headquarters. Hong Kong is a safe place to do business with a high level of legal protection and efficient tax structure, not to mention its high-skilled labour force."
Other speakers included Director of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Anne Webster; Chief Executive Officer of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Ms Gina Quin; Senior Vice President and Head of Trade Supply Chain of HSBC Ireland, Mr Ananth Krishnan, and Director of Global Track, Mr Darragh O'Dwyer.
The seminar was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels and co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. This was the fourth in a series organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels this month, after the seminars in Bucharest, Sofia and Luxembourg.
Ends/Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:34
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