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Hong Kong after 1997, with rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Basic Law, remains a regional hub for trade, commerce, logistics, shipping and tourism, and is one of the world's financial capitals.
This was stated by the Principal Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mrs Jennie Chok, during a business seminar in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, today (January 28).
Attended by over 150 local government and business leaders, including the Vice-governor of Gunma Prefecture, Mr Akio Shigehara, the seminar was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) to promote the business opportunities and attractions of Hong Kong as a gateway to China.
Mrs Chok told the audience that Hong Kong, supported by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) implemented in 2003, was in the best position to benefit from opportunities in the huge Mainland market.
She explained that under CEPA, all goods of Hong Kong origin imported into the Mainland enjoyed tariff-free treatment, and service suppliers in 42 areas could enjoy preferential treatment in entering the Mainland market.
Taking advantage of CEPA, over 6,400 foreign companies, including 1,100 from Japan, had already set up subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Mrs Chok noted.
In addition to being an ideal platform from which to access the Mainland market, Hong Kong was also a popular regional centre for international trade fairs and conventions, Mrs Chok said.
She encouraged Gunma businessmen to take advantage of the many different kinds of trade exhibitions and food fairs in Hong Kong to showcase their products, not just to buyers from Hong Kong, but also to buyers from all over the world including in particular those from China.
On Hong Kong's economic ties with Japan, Mrs Chok said Hong Kong has been Japan's largest overseas market for food and agricultural products since 2005, importing over 100 billion yen's worth of such products in 2008.
She noted that Gunma Prefecture, with its famous Kusatsu and other onsens, had registered an almost two-fold increase in the number of hotel guests from Hong Kong in 2008.
Also speaking today at the seminar was the Regional Director (North Asia) of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Kunio Kano.
Ends/Thursday, January 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:00
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