SMEs Get Practical Advice on Domestic Sales in East China

A robust economy and high spending power have made East China a major market for Hong Kong businesses. To provide local SMEs with technical guidance on tapping this potential market, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the Hong Kong Association of International Co-operation of Small & Medium Enterprises (ISME) jointly compiled the “China Domestic Sales Guidebook – East China”.

The Guidebook was launched today (25 July 2012) at a ceremony officiated by Mr Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Trade and Industry of the HKSAR Government; Mr Du Zijun, Director, General Group, Trade Office of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Ms Joyce Tam, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai; Dr Ng Man-kwong, Chairman of ISME, and Mrs Agnes Mak, Executive Director of HKPC.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ng said, “Under the National 12th Five-Year Plan, boosting domestic consumption is a key driver of China’s economic development. This project offers a technical tool for SMEs on the policies and opportunities in Mainland domestic sales, and consumer markets in East China. SMEs will learn how to develop domestic sales strategies, from technology adoption, product design, brand building, talent development, marketing channels to quality control.”

Introducing HKPC’s support to SMEs in developing the Mainland market, Mrs Mak said, “We have organized two programmes with ISME to offer practical guidance for SMEs to kick-start domestic sales. We also provide Secretariat support to the Enterprise Support Programme of the HKSAR Government’s dedicated fund to assist businesses in promoting domestic sales. In addition, at our recently established one-stop support centre, SME One, SMEs can conveniently find comprehensive information on various SME support and funding schemes in Hong Kong and the Mainland, together with our experts’ advice under one roof.”

The Guidebook covers domestic sales opportunities arising from the 12th Five-Year Plan and the high-speed rail network; consumer markets in Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Ningbo and Hefei; and success factors and cases in East China domestic sales. Apart from a printed version, the electronic and smartphone apps versions are available on HKPC website: www.hkpc.org, App Store and Google Play.

The project is a highlight of the “East China’s Second-tier Cities Domestic Sales Support Program for SMEs”. Funded by the SME Development Fund of the Trade and Industry Department, the Program also includes a SME survey on Mainland domestic sales opportunities and success factors, seminars and workshops.

For information about the programme, please contact Miss Tina Ng of HKPC on tel.: (852) 2788 5651 or email: tinang@hkpc.org. For other media enquiries, please contact Mr Felix Chan at tel. (852) 2788 5036 or email: felixchan@hkpc.org.

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Mr Jonathan Ho
General Manager
Corporate Communications
Hong Kong Productivity Council
Tel: (852) 2788 6390
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
Email: jonathanho@hkpc.org
Website: www.hkpc.org


25 July 2012

Mr Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Trade and Industry of the HKSAR Government (centre); Dr Ng Man-kwong, Chairman of ISME (second from left); Mrs Agnes Mak, Executive Director of HKPC (second from right), and other officiating guests launch the “China Domestic Sales Guidebook – East China”