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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) has invited Turkish companies to take advantage of Hong Kong's "super-connector" role between Mainland China and the rest of the world.
Speaking at a business seminar in Istanbul today (June 11, Istanbul time), the Acting Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Drew Lai, said that in recent years, both Hong Kong's cultural exchanges and its trade with Turkey had been growing.
"Our bilateral merchandise trade grew at an annual average of 11.1 per cent from 2010 to 2014. But we believe that so far, we have only scratched the surface, and that the potential is much greater," she said.
Miss Lai explained how Hong Kong's combined business advantage of "One Country" and "Two Systems" could benefit Turkish companies seeking to access the Chinese and Asian markets.
She said that Hong Kong has created the world's most business-friendly environment, as recognised by the recent rankings the city received in the US-based Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom and the International Institute for Management Development's World Competitiveness Yearbook.
"This is why nearly 7 600 Mainland and overseas companies based in Hong Kong can do business in Hong Kong, with Mainland China and throughout Asia with confidence."
Miss Lai urged Turkish companies to partner with Hong Kong to seize the opportunities offered by the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and recent developments such as the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, the mutual recognition of cross-border funds, the upcoming Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect, and China's Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road - the "One Belt, One Road" initiative.
She also informed them about the relaxation of the conditions of Hong Kong's admission schemes that are designed to attract talents, professionals and entrepreneurs to live and work in Hong Kong.
The seminar, which was attended by 86 business people, was co-organised by HKETO, Brussels and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
Other speakers included the Regional Director, Europe of the HKTDC, Mr Stephen Wong; Invest Hong Kong's Principal Consultant in Turkey, Ms Didem Engin; and Senior Vice President of Li & Fung Turkey and Board Member of Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board Mr Rasih Öztürkmen. Mr Öztürkmen shared his experience in sourcing from Turkey and elaborated on the role Hong Kong could play in China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative.
Ends/Thursday, June 11, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:18
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