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A joint investment promotion between Hong Kong and Shenzhen was successfully held in Seoul, Korea today (May 30). More than 150 senior business executives attended a seminar and expressed keen interest in the business environments and investment opportunities in the two cities.
The seminar, themed ¡°Hong Kong and Shenzhen: Partners for Your China Strategy,¡± was their sixth joint initiative to promote investment opportunities in the Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD).
The seminar was jointly organised by Invest Hong Kong and the Shenzhen Bureau of Trade and Industry. It was supported by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Small Business Corporation, Korea International Trade Association and Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business.
The Minister-Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Seoul, Mr Chen Zhou, gave opening remarks and warmly welcomed delegates and guests participating in the seminar.
The Hong Kong delegation was led by the Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, and the Shenzhen delegation by the Deputy Director-General of Shenzhen Bureau of Trade and Industry, Mr Wang Xiao Chun. They both gave keynote speeches at the seminar and encouraged Korean companies to explore the potential in the Greater PRD region by investing in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
In his speech, Mr Rowse highlighted the advantages of Hong Kong as a strategic springboard to access the GPRD region. He also introduced the exciting business opportunities presented by the free trade agreement between Mainland China and Hong Kong, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
¡°As the Pearl River Delta (PRD) has become one of the most important manufacturing bases in the world, Hong Kong is in a unique position to act as the base to oversee business activities in the region. At the doorstep to the PRD region, Hong Kong offers world-class business and professional services, a sound and sophisticated financial system, strong international sales and marketing experience and expertise - complementing the strengths of the PRD in manufacturing,¡± he said.
¡°More than 130 Korean companies have already set up offices for regional or local operations in Hong Kong, joined by many more Korean entrepreneurs who regard Hong Kong their home base. Their continued investment and expansion in Hong Kong are strong evidence of their recognition of using Hong Kong as their base to manage business on the Mainland. We look forward to welcoming more Korean companies joining the vibrant Korean business community in Hong Kong.¡± Mr Rowse said.
The Deputy Director-General of Shenzhen Bureau of Trade & Industry, Mr Wang Xiao Chun, gave a brief introduction on Shenzhen¡¯s business environment and presented the business opportunities for foreign companies in Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta. ¡°As one of the first special economic zones of the Mainland, Shenzhen is the window and testing field of China¡¯s opening up policy," Mr Wang said. "Shenzhen is in leading positions in various aspects in China after some 20 years of development. The city came in third in the overall competitiveness ranking of Mainland cities conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics of China recently. Its pillar industries are namely high technology, finance, logistics and culture.
¡°Korea has invested in 251 projects in Shenzhen, involving an investment amount of US$344 million. They cover different industries, including electronics, communications terminal facilities and chemical engineering. We welcome more Korean investors to visit and set up a business presence in Shenzhen.¡±
Director of Samsung Corning Mr Li Bing Lai and CEO of Kwang Sung Electronics HK Co Ltd Mr Yang Jai Sung presented the successful experiences of their companies of investing and operating in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
To address the companies¡¯ need for practical advice on doing business in Hong Kong and Mainland China, Mr Charles Kim of Ilshin Corporate Consulting also shared his professional advice with the participants.
Before the seminar concluded with a luncheon, participants actively discussed different aspects of investing in Hong Kong and the GRPD during the interactive question and answer session.
Ends/Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:13
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