**********************************************************
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (January 20) opened the Hong Kong - Jiangxi Business Co-operation Symposium in Nanchang on the second day of his visit to Jiangxi Province. Mr Tsang is leading a delegation of government officials and business leaders on a three-day tour of the province.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and attended by about 400 participants, the symposium provides a platform for Hong Kong and Jiangxi businesses to exchange information and ideas, deepen understanding, share experiences and promote closer economic and trade ties between the two places.
The Chief Executive said in his opening remarks at the symposium that Hong Kong and Jiangxi were highly complementary in terms of the supply of natural resources and policies relating to industrial development. He noted the potential of the two places to cooperate on a number of fronts.
There are currently over 1,000 Hong Kong enterprises investing in Ganzhou, the southern gateway to Jiangxi, most of them manufacturing businesses. Hong KongĄ¯s capital, operation and management experience, and international sales network will bolster Jiangxi's industrialisation policies.
Mr Tsang noted that Hong Kong as an international financial centre could help the province to move forward in every aspect of its economic development. He also called on Jiangxi businesses to capitalise on Hong KongĄ¯s advantages to gather resources, enhance corporate governance, promote business and expand in the international market.
The Chief Executive and members of the delegation in the air transport industry attended a seminar this morning and were briefed by Jiangxi Provincial Government officials on the development of JiangxiĄ¯s air transport industry and the potential of further cooperation between the two places in this area. Mr Tsang encouraged delegation members to grasp the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Jiangxi's air transport services and the operation of the airport in Nanchang. He also urged them to seek business opportunities.
The delegation travelled to Jiujiang after attending a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Government. They visited two enterprises to gain an insight into the investment opportunities and the potential for further cooperation between Hong Kong and Jiujiang.
Their first stop was Gongqing Open and Development Zone, renowned for manufacturing down and feather products. They toured the production line of Jiangxi Gongqing Yaya (Group) Co. Ltd. to gain a better understanding of the business environment for labour-intensive industries in the region.
They also visited Jiangxi Changhe Suzuki Automobili Co. Ltd. (Jiujiang Branch), a Sino-Japanese corporation.
The delegation then headed to Jiujiang City Planning Exhibition Hall and were briefed on the planning and development of Jiujiang City and the Yangtze River industrial belt.
Later, Mr Tsang and the delegation attended the Jiangxi Tourism Promotion Conference organised by Jiangxi Provincial Tourism Bureau, exploring the investment and cooperation opportunities in a province rich in scenic beauty.
This evening, the Chief Executive and the delegation attended a welcoming dinner organised by Jiujiang City Government.
The delegation will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (January 21).
Ends/Saturday, January 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:32
NNNN