HKPC Co-organizes Seminar in Guangzhou to Promote Investment Opportunities in Hong Kong

Over 150 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises today (8 December 2005) attended a seminar in Guangzhou organized by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Office of Financial Services of Guangdong Province, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Guangdong Province, Economic and Trade Committee of Guangdong Province and Guangdong-Hong Kong Association for the Promotion of Technology Enterprise (Hong Kong) Ltd. to obtain the latest updates on market investment and financing opportunities in Hong Kong for Guangzhou enterprises. The CEPA Business Development Centre of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is the event's technical organizer.

Under the theme of "Investment Opportunities in Hong Kong for Mainland Enterprises", this seminar is the third in a series which commenced in April 2005 to provide the latest information on the regulations, procedures, supporting services and opportunities relevant to Mainland enterprises planning to invest or raise funds in Hong Kong. It also offers a communication platform for industry experts from government, trade and industry sectors to share their views on the latest industrial developments in Hong Kong.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Joseph Poon, General Manager (CEPA Business Development and IP) of HKPC, said, "The Mainland is Hong Kong's largest trading partner and second largest source of foreign direct investment, while Hong Kong is the Mainland's largest source of foreign investment. Under CEPA, the economic ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland, in particular the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, have become closer than ever today. Since 1993, a total of 316 Mainland enterprises have raised more than HK$1,000 billion through the Hong Kong stock market."

"Hong Kong has a favourable business environment, underpinned by a sound legal system, an independent judiciary, a low and simple tax regime, free flows of capital and information, and a clean and efficient government. Pan-PRD enterprises can strengthen its business activities by making use of Hong Kong's world-class financial services for fund raising," he said.

"Through this seminar, we aim to provide hi-tech enterprises with the latest market information on Hong Kong, facilitating their entry into international markets through the formation of joint ventures, fund raising or stock listing. Indeed, many Mainland companies have made their foray into the world market through investing or raising funds in Hong Kong," Mr Poon added.

Other officiating guest at the opening ceremony included Mr Lawrence Fok, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development and Investor Services Division, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited. Speakers at the seminar included Mr Ye Sui Sheng, Deputy Director, Office of Financial Services of Guangdong Province, and representatives from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Guangdong Province, Economic and Trade Committee of Guangdong Province, Guangdong-Hong Kong Association for the Promotion of Technology Enterprise (Hong Kong) Ltd., Tai Fook Securities Group Ltd., Tracy Ong & Co., Lau & Au Yeung CPA Ltd. and Strategic Public Relation Group.

The seminar series is one of HKPC's initiatives to promote investment opportunities in Hong Kong to Mainland enterprises. The next seminar in the series will take place in Foshan on December 9 and more seminars will be held in other Pan-PRD cities in the following months.

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

8 December 2005