Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province jointly held a seminar in Paris, France today (November 22, Paris time) to introduce their combined business advantages for French enterprises looking to set up or expand in Hong Kong and Guangdong.

     The seminar, entitled "Conference on Promotion of Economic and Trade Cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and France", was the 12th overseas joint promotion between InvestHK and the Guangdong Provincial Government to date, and the second such event in Paris. Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Francis Ho told over 300 attendees about the rapid growth of the French community in Hong Kong and the city's increasing role as one of the most preferred business platforms in Asia.

     Mr Ho said, "According to the latest statistics from the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong, there are about 800 companies in Hong Kong owned wholly or partly by French investors. The French community in Hong Kong, estimated at around 25 000 people, is also the largest in Asia and their number has been growing by approximately 5 per cent every year."

     Apart from eyeing the Hong Kong market, French companies are leveraging on the advantages of Hong Kong in terms of the "one country, two systems" principle, good connectivity and the low and simple tax regime to manage their operations across the region from the city.

     Mr Ho said, "The increased connectivity brought about by infrastructure developments and the early liberalisation of trade in services provided under the Agreement between the Mainland and Hong Kong on Achieving Basic Liberalisation of Trade in Services in Guangdong under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, as well as the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation, has been enhancing the access of overseas companies through Hong Kong to Guangdong and the interests of overseas companies in this region."

     He added that overseas service providers, especially in the field of financial and professional services, are also tapping Hong Kong's role as Mainland China's "super-connector" with the rest of the world, by offering consultancy and related services for Mainland companies aspiring to "go global" via Hong Kong.

     The Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr He Zhongyou, said, "Today's conference taking place in Paris of France is an important event for Hong Kong and Guangdong co-operation. It gives a good platform for the communications and cooperation among the governments of Hong Kong and Guangdong and French enterprises, and it helps to encourage more French enterprises to invest in Hong Kong and Guangdong."

About InvestHK

     InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established in 2000 to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

Ends/Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:40

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