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Jointly organised by Invest Hong Kong of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Foshan Municipal People's Government, an investment promotion seminar entitled "Hong Kong and Foshan: Your Ideal Partnership in China" was held in Osaka, Japan today (June 17). About 200 senior Japanese business executives received the latest update on the business environment and opportunities in Hong Kong and Foshan at the event.
The seminar aimed to provide the Japanese business community with practical tips on how to make the best use of Hong Kong as the most effective gateway to Mainland China.
The seminar began with opening remarks from the President of the Japan Hong Kong Society, Mr Hiroshi Zaizen, which were followed by the welcome remarks from the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Osaka, Mr Zheng Xianglin; and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative in Tokyo, Mr Albert Tang.
Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Simon Galpin, emphasised the synergy between Hong Kong and Foshan. He said, "The Hong Kong - Pearl River Delta (PRD) integration has greatly contributed to the prosperity on both sides of the boundary. Many foreign companies have found it very effective to perform their management functions in Hong Kong while placing their manufacturing facilities in the PRD including Foshan, one of the fastest growing cities in Mainland China."
"Hong Kong and Foshan together present a winning formula for Japanese companies to take advantage of the numerous business opportunities in Mainland China," Mr Galpin added.
Over the years, Hong Kong has established close trade and economic ties with Japan. Between 2004 and 2008, the average annual growth rate in bilateral trade was 3.6%. In 2008, Hong Kong re-exported US$37.1 billion worth of goods from Mainland China to Japan, representing 13.9% of the total trade between Japan and the Mainland.
"Since our establishment in 2000, Invest Hong Kong has assisted over 200 Japanese companies in setting up or expanding their business presence in the city. Japan is one of our key target markets. We shall continue to encourage Japanese companies to use Hong Kong as a springboard for entry into the Mainland market," Mr Galpin concluded.
In his keynote speech, Deputy Mayor, Foshan Municipal People's Government, Mr Li Zifu, elaborated on why Foshan is an ideal platform for Japanese companies to capture business opportunities in Mainland China. He said, "Situated at the heart of the PRD, one of the most developed areas in China, Foshan is a city with superior geographic advantage. It is adjacent to Hong Kong and Macau. It boasts complete market economy system, well-established infrastructure facilities, and favorable business environment for foreign investors coupled with its creative and dynamic commercial culture."
Mr Li also mentioned that, "Through years of rapid development, 'Made in Foshan' is well known both at home and abroad. Products like electrical appliances, textile and garment, building materials, furniture and electronic products are widely sold to more than 100 countries and regions. Meanwhile, Foshan will spare no effort in building three world-class industrial bases, namely, a 'City of White Electrical Appliances', an Industrial Base for Flat-panel LCD, and a 'City of Ceramics', as well as nine nation-class special industrial bases including special equipment machinery, food, energy conservation and environmental protection and so on."
During the seminar, top management and professional specialists presented case studies and provided free advice on a wide range of business issues in Mainland China including taxation, procedures in setting up a company and protection of intellectual property. Speakers included Director & CFO, MatchingWorld Inc, Mr Shoichiro Hokazono; Former President, Guangdong Matsushita Ecology Systems Co Ltd, Mr Tadafumi Kita; President, M & C South China Ltd, Mr Masumi Mizuno; Director-General, Foshan Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, Mr Zhang Jianhui; and Marketing Manager, HKTDC Osaka Office, Mr Yozo Tanaka.
Ends/Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:02
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