The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) hosted a business seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, today (October 27) to update the Vietnamese business community on business and investment opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The seminar also outlined how to leverage on Hong Kong's position as the strategic gateway to the fast-growing GBA to capture market opportunities.

     Entitled "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: Business and Investment Opportunities for Vietnamese Companies", the seminar was co-organised with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam (HKBAV), the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK). The event was well received by the business community, attracting more than 100 business leaders of Vietnamese companies in various fields, including finance and banking, technology, import and export, trading, business services, and logistics.

     The Commissioner for the Development of the GBA, Mr Tommy Yuen, addressed the business seminar in a keynote presentation via pre-recorded video. Mr Yuen introduced the GBA as the most open and economically vibrant region of China. He underscored the enormous market potential of the GBA, which had a population of over 86 million and a combined GDP of close to US$2 trillion in 2021. 

     Mr Yuen expressed confidence that the GBA would remain a preferred destination for domestic and international investors and businesses in the next decade and beyond, with strong policy support at both national and local levels and a huge development potential.

     "Hong Kong not only enjoys strong and unique connectivity with other GBA cities, but with our institutional strength of the "one country, two systems" principle, and a highly market-oriented and internationalised business environment underpinned by the rule of law, Hong Kong is your best partner to tap into the tremendous opportunities offered by development of the GBA," he said.

     Mr Yuen's presentation was followed by a panel discussion. Featured speakers were Deloitte Vietnam Company Limited Tax Partner, Mr Bui Ngoc Tuan; the Chief Economist of VinaCapital, Mr Michael Kokalari; the Director of Indochina of the HKTDC, Ms Tina Phan; and the Head of Investment Promotion at Singapore ETO, Mr Melvin Lee. Panellists shared their views on why and how to tap the GBA market through Hong Kong. Participants were briefed on the favourable business environment as well as various policies and support for foreign companies in Hong Kong.

     After the business seminar, participants joined a networking luncheon to further establish ties and exchange views with the speakers as well as other business executives.

     The business seminar commenced with welcome remarks by the Director of Singapore ETO, Mr Wong Chun To, and the General Director, Ho Chi Minh City Branch, VCCI, Mr Tran Ngoc Liem. Taking this opportunity, Mr Wong also shared the latest updates about Hong Kong, including details of lifting the quarantine requirements for inbound persons as well as "The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address", in particular the Government's strategies to compete for enterprises and talents to strengthen the city's competitiveness.

     The event is part of the Singapore ETO's continuous efforts to promote Hong Kong as the ideal gateway to the GBA for businesses in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, including Vietnam.

Ends/Thursday, October 27, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:55

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