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Over 60 senior executives from Guangdong privately-owned enterprises (POE) participated in the investment environment seminar held in Hong Kong today (December 12). They were enthusiastic about Hong Kong's many investment opportunities and discussed how they could use Hong Kong as a springboard to expand internationally.
The "Hong Kong ﷿ Platform for Guangdong Enterprises to Go Global" Seminar, part of a two-day investment environment study programme, was jointly organised by Invest Hong Kong, the Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD) Business Council's Joint Investment and Trade Promotion Sub-Group and the GPRD Business Council - Guangdong.
The Guangdong delegation was well represented by companies from a wide range of industries, including retail, trading, hotel, printing, electronics and manufacturing. These prospective Mainland investors were briefed on strategies for expanding their business by using Hong Kong as the platform to enter the world market, as well as raising capital in the city.
The Director-General of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse; Staff Officer of GPRD Business Council, Dr W K Chan; and the leader of the delegation - Vice-President of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Guangdong , Mr Chen Yao Huan, gave welcome remarks at the seminar.
Mr Rowse spoke about the investment environment of Hong Kong and the business opportunities for Guangdong enterprises. He said, "Hong Kong is a premier business capital which has nurtured many companies including those from the Mainland. We have world-class infrastructure and telecommunications facilities, a sound legal system, a large pool of business and professional service providers and a global business perspective. For Guangdong enterprises ready to explore overseas markets, Hong Kong is a natural choice to base their operations."
Mr Rowse continued, "As of June 2006, 736 Guangdong enterprises have been approved by the Gunagdong Provincial Government to set up in Hong Kong, involving a total contractual investment amount of US$2.98 billion. We expect to see this number grow. We at Invest Hong Kong look forward to continuing to work closely with our Guangdong counterparts to bring more enterprises to Hong Kong and to provide support throughout their investment process here."
Dr W K Chan said, "GPRD Business Council, CCPIT in Guangdong and Invest Hong Kong co-organised the first Hong Kong investment seminar in Guangzhou in September 2005. We then followed up and arranged the first Guangdong delegation comprising POE to Hong Kong this May, so that representatives from companies interested in investing in Hong Kong could learn more about the investment environment here. We co-organised the second investment seminar in Foshan this August which is followed by the two-day visit of the Guangdong delegation here today. We hope these enterprises can develop a better understanding of the business environment, setting up procedures and services provided by professional service providers, so that they are more confident in investing in Hong Kong."
Mr Chen Yao Huan remarked, "Further to the two investment seminars and one visit by Guangdong POE in Hong Kong held previously, the GPRD Business Council - Guangdong again organised this Guangdong delegation visit programme upon requests by these enterprises. In response to companies' needs, we have fine tuned the visit programmes and enhanced fund raising-related sessions. We will continue to promote investment and trade cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong, so as to facilitate the healthy development of companies in both places. To support the Central Government's "Going Out" strategy, Guangdong will release new measures to encourage enterprises to invest overseas, including the provision of additional support for these companies."
Representatives from Deloitte briefed the delegation on procedures and regulations about setting up in Hong Kong, while the Trade and Industry Department introduced various funding schemes available for SMEs. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council spoke about promoting products and services via the Hong Kong platform, while the Immigration Department discussed practical tips on immigration matters.
Ends/Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:33
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