HKPC and FHKI Jointly Organize Hong Kong–PRD Industrial Promotion Gala Dinner in Zhongshan

Over 1,000 industrial leaders, manufacturers and senior government officials from Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) today (17 November 2006) attended the Hong Kong–PRD Industrial Promotion Gala Dinner held in Zhongshan, with an aim to promote economic and industrial development and foster collaboration between Hong Kong and the PRD.

The event was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), in conjunction with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR Government (GDETO), and co-organized by The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, PRD Council, Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation, and two Zhongshan associations for foreign enterprises. Supporting organizations of the event included more than 80 industry associations from Hong Kong.

Officiating guests at the Gala Dinner included Mr Tang Hao, Deputy Secretary-General of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in Guangdong; the Hon Henry Tang Ying-yen, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR; the Hon Andrew Leung, Honourary Chairman of the Gala Dinner Organizing Committee and Chairman of HKPC; Mr Kenneth Ting, Honourary Chairman of the Gala Dinner Organizing Committee and Chairman of FHKI; Mr Zhang Guoliang, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Director of Wen Wei Po Limited; Mr Peng Jiangwen, Executive Vice Mayor of Zhongshan Municipal People's Government; the Hon Jeffrey Lam, Executive Chairman of the 2003 Organizing Committee; Dr WK Lo, Executive Chairman of the 2006 Organizing Committee; Mr Peter Leung, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong, HKSAR Government; Mr Xie Weimin, Deputy Chief, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council; Ms Qi Jianmei, Deputy Director-General, The United Front Work Department of CPC Central Committee; Mr Anthony Wong, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, HKSAR Government; Mr Wang Hui, Deputy Head of Economic Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr Robin Chiu, Director-General of FHKI; Dr Stephen Lee, Acting Executive Director of HKPC; Mr Cliff Sun, Executive Chairman of the 2004 Organizing Committee, Mr Thomas Tang, Executive Chairman of the 2002 Organizing Committee and Mr Edmund Sung, Director of HKPC.

In his welcoming address, Mr Andrew Leung said, "Now in its fifth year, the Gala Dinner has evolved into an annual networking event for Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises as well as a platform for technology and business collaboration for industries from both sides."

"It is indeed timely that the Hong Kong–PRD Industrial Promotion Gala Dinner is being held in Zhongshan. Strategically located in the western PRD region, Zhongshan serves as a link between Hong Kong and the western part of Guangdong Province. Under the 11th Five-Year Plan, Zhongshan will play a pivotal role in driving the collaboration and economic development of the Pan-PRD region," Mr Leung said.

Leading up to the Gala Dinner, a seminar on the 11th Five-Year Plan was held on the same day to explore the opportunities and challenges for Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises, and the direction for economic collaboration. Speakers included Mr Andrew Leung, Mr Zhang Guoqing, Policy Research Office of the State Ministry of Commerce; Ms Feng Xiaoyun of the Institute of Economics, the University of Jinan; and Mr Edward Leung of The Greater PRD Business Council.

The Hong Kong–PRD Industrial Promotion Gala Dinner was first held in 2002 in Dongguan. The annual event has since been staged in Foshan, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.

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

17 November 2006