HK kicks off Fujian investment roadshow

( HK Edition )

Updated: 2015-07-31

Hong Kong has launched a major initiative in Fujian province to lure enterprises in the province to cash in on the SAR's business advantages and use the city as their springboard for overseas expansion.

A seminar entitled "Hong Kong - Your Platform to Go Global" was held in the provincial capital Fuzhou on Tuesday to spread the message.

The event was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong province and Fujian's Department of Commerce, with the support of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade's Fujian Sub-Council and the Fujian Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce.

Simon Galpin, director-general of investment promotion at InvestHK - the SAR government's trade body tasked with attracting foreign direct investment - told the seminar that Hong Kong serves as an ideal testing ground for mainland companies intending to go global.

"Hong Kong is known for its business-friendly environment, free flow of capital and information, free trade, a free-market economy, a deep pool of international talent, world-class infrastructure, and a sound and independent legal system, plus a low and stable tax regime," he said.

"In 2014, Hong Kong ranked second in global foreign direct investment inflows for the first time. Under the country's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative, Hong Kong, as a 'super-connector' between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, serves as a hub for service professionals in financing, logistics and transportation, as well as legal services and many other aspects."

Galpin added: "InvestHK will strengthen co-operation with the provinces and cities along the routes and jointly organize investment promotion activities to encourage companies in the region to use Hong Kong as the platform to go global and promote Hong Kong as the important hub as part of the policy."

Mabel Yu, head of InvestHK's Guangzhou Investment Promotion Division, also highlighted Hong Kong's business advantages and opportunities, as well as the success stories of mainland firms that are already operating in the SAR, plus the various types of free services and assistance that InvestHK can offer to Fujian companies that intend to branch out in Hong Kong and go global.

Xu Jingnan, vice-chairman of the Fujian General Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Fujian Peak Group Co Ltd, said Hong Kong's modern service industry can help Fujian enterprises geared themselves to international business standards and codes.

The Fuzhou seminar marked the start of InvestHK's roadshow in Fujian. It was followed on Wednesday by a second similar event in Quanzhou - one of the biggest cities in the province.

humeidong@chinadaily.com.cn

Simon Galpin, director-general of investment promotion at InvestHK, told a promotion seminar in Fujian that Hong Kong is known for its free-market economy and a deep pool of international talent. The SAR will strengthen co-operation with provinces and cities along the routes of the country's "One Belt, One Road" initiative. Provided to China Daily

(HK Edition 07/31/2015 page8)