HKIE & HKPC Launch Programme to Assist Engineers to Enter the Mainland Market under CEPA

The Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Division of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) today (22 February 2005) launched a programme on 'Capability Building of Manufacturing & Industrial Engineers in Response to CEPA Initiative' to assist industry professionals to enter the Mainland market under CEPA. The CEPA Business Development Centre of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is the implementation organization of the Programme.

With funding support from the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme (PSDAS) of the HKSAR Government, the Programme is co-organized by the Institute of Industrial Engineers (Hong Kong), the Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Section of the Institution of Electrical Engineers Hong Kong and Guangdong-Hong Kong Association for the Promotion of Technology Enterprise.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ir Kenneth Leung, Chairman of the Manufacturing and Industrial Division, HKIE, said, "With the rapid economic growth in the Mainland, the implementation of CEPA, and China's Accession to the WTO, Hong Kong industry professionals are facing a myriad of opportunities and challenges in the Mainland."

"Through this Programme, we hope to enhance the competitiveness of local engineers in tapping these opportunities by equipping them with the essential knowledge for business expansion in the Mainland," Ir Leung said.

Focusing on the manufacturing and industrial sectors in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), the five-month programme comprises industry-specific seminars, technical training workshops, company visits and study mission which will be held both in Hong Kong and the Mainland.

As the first event under this Programme, a two-day CEPA Seminar on the opportunities for manufacturing and industrial engineers, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, as well as business start-up in the PRD was held immediately after the launch ceremony.

Speakers at the Seminar included Dr Aaron Tong, Deputy Chairman, Manufacturing and Industrial Division, HKIE; Ms Carol Yuen, Assistant Director-General (Mainland Division), Trade and Industry Department, HKSAR Government; Mr Daniel Kwok, Principal, South China Economic Research Centre; Mr Quan Guang Shan, Deputy Director, Division for Foreign-Funded Enterprises Registration & Administration, Guangzhou Administration for Industry and Commerce, PRC; Dr Michael Hui, Senior Consultant (CEPA Business Development & IP), HKPC; Ms Pauline Yang, Vice Secretary-General, Guangzhou International Investment Promotion Council, PRC; Ms Virginia Choi, President, Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management and Mr Guo Man Han, Foreign Tax Management Department, Municipal Local Tax Bureau, PRC.

The Programme is supported by various organizations, including The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Critical components Manufacturers Association Limited, Hong Kong Jewelry and Jade Manufacturers Association, Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers' Association, The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, The Hong Kong Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association and Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Limited.

Sponsors of the Programme include the Surface Mount Technology (Holdings) Ltd., Leo Paper Group, Ka Shui Holdings Co. Ltd. and The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Ltd.

For further details on the Programme, please contact HKPC's Ms Brenda Lee /Mr Frederick Chan at tel. (852) 2788 5912 /2788 6347 or email to brenda@hkpc.org.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5036
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: emilyc@hkpc.org

HKPC
22 February 2005