HKPC Facilitates Business Collaboration for Hong Kong, Mexico and Mainland Automotive Parts Industry

Over 100 participants, including 27 members of the Mexican Automotive Parts Industry Delegation today (17 March 2005) attended the Seminar on Auto Parts Business Opportunities in Hong Kong and the Mainland, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and The Hong Kong Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Trade Commission of Mexico in Hong Kong, to obtain the latest information on the developments of the automotive parts industry.

Aiming to provide a platform for information exchange and business partnership, the event presented the opportunities for the automotive parts industry in Hong Kong, the Mainland and Mexico, the HKSAR Government’s strategies in support of the industry, CEPA opportunities for Hong Kong and overseas automotive companies, as well as the details of the Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems Research & Development Centre scheduled for operation in Hong Kong in the second half of 2005.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Mr John Tsang, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, HKSAR Government, and Mr K K Yeung, Executive Director of HKPC.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Yeung said, “The automotive industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Chinese national economy. It is estimated that the production levels will surge from 5.1 million units in 2004 to 6.6 million units by 2007, with total sales of motor vehicles increasing from 5.1 million units in 2004 to over 6 million units by 2007.”

“Together with the increased market access to the Mainland in accordance with its WTO commitments, we have all reasons to believe that unprecedented business opportunities are unfolding to the automotive industry worldwide, and Hong Kong is indeed well positioned to ride on this challenge,” he said.

Introducing the works of the Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems Research & Development Centre – the HKSAR Government’s major initiative to support the development of the local automotive parts industry, Mr Yeung said, “To be hosted by HKPC, the R&D Centre will act as Hong Kong’s leading focal point providing support to automotive parts industry in product and technology R&D as well as commercializing the results to generate benefits to the community. It will strive to be the centre of excellence in R&D by integrating the knowledge of the local, the Mainland and overseas R&D expertise to create competitive edge for the automotive parts industry.”

“The R&D Centre will enhance the capabilities of the local industry in market intelligence, management, product design as well as quality standards for meeting international requirements, making Hong Kong companies a valued technology and business partner for overseas companies to tap new opportunities in the Mainland,” he said.

Following the opening of the Seminar, in the presence of Mr John Tsang and Mr Mario Leal, Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong, HKPC signed collaboration agreements with the visiting Mexican Automotive Parts Industry Delegation to foster closer bilateral economic co-operation.

Representing the HKPC and The Mexican Bank for Foreign Trade (Bancomext), Mr K K Yeung and Mr Marco Espinosa, Vice President, International Promotion and Foreign Investment of Bancomext, signed an agreement on behalf of both parties to collaborate in the areas of technology, investments, training and information exchange covering the automotive and auto parts, plastics and new materials, food and beverage, textiles, information technology, environmental protection, hardware, furniture and leather sectors.

In another agreement signed between HKPC and the Mexican Association of Automotive Parts Manufacturers (INA), as represented by Mr K K Yeung and Mr Ramon Suarez, Director General of INA respectively, both parties will collaborate to facilitate the technological and commercial partnership of their automotive parts industries for business expansion in Mexico, the Mainland and overseas markets.

To tie in with the Seminar, a networking luncheon was hosted for the Mexican Delegation and the local manufacturing sector. As the luncheon speaker, Mr Francis Ho, Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology) spoke on the Government’s strategy in support of the automotive parts industry.

Other speakers at the Seminar included Mr Mike Rowse, Director-General of Investment Promotion, Invest Hong Kong, HKSAR Government; Mr Raymond Young, Director-General of Trade & Industry, Trade and Industry Department, HKSAR Government; Mr Niu Jiafu of the Economic Commission of Changchun Municipality; Mr Mario Leal, Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong; Mr Ramon Suarez, Director General of INA; Mr Lawrence Ang, Executive Director, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd, and Dr Stephen Lee, Director (Product Productivity), HKPC.

At the end of the Seminar, the Mexican Delegation attended a welcome dinner hosted by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Group 27 and HKPC where they met with Ms Denise Yue, Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Commerce and Industry), HKSAR Government.

Earlier on 16 March 2005, the Mexican Delegation visited the various facilities at HKPC and was given a briefing by Mr Yeung Tak Keung, Assistant Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (Policy and Development), HKSAR Government.

After their visit to Hong Kong, the Mexican Delegation will embark on a five-day study mission to Dongguan and Guangzhou, where they will meet with Government officials and visit auto parts manufacturing plants in the Pearl River Delta.

The Seminar and the Mexican Automotive Parts Industry Delegation’s visit to Hong Kong are HKPC’s latest initiatives to support the development of the local automotive parts industry. Over the year, more than 300 local industrialists and executives have participated in HKPC’s study missions to major automotive centres throughout the Mainland to forge partnership with leading industry players and Government organizations.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5895
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: justina@hkpc.org

17 March 2005