'Wise Bussiness' SME Summit 2012 Explores Opportunities within Emerging Markets (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited Press Release)

Senior government officials, prominent industrialists and business leaders shared their insights at today’s Wise Business SME Summit and urged companies to pursue opportunities in the emerging markets to capitalise on the growth that is forecast to come from this block. The summit, officiated by Mr John Tsang, Financial Secretary, The Government of the HKSAR, is sponsored by HSBC and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and Hong Kong Economic Times. It took place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and was attended by over 500 businesses and entrepreneurs.

Albert Chan, HSBC’s Head of Commercial Banking Hong Kong, said: “We want to connect SMEs to the wealth of opportunities that are arising from the emerging markets both within Asia and further afield. Many companies are looking to these geographies to tap into the demand that is being generated from the strong economy and trade growth. We are seeing immense opportunities emerging from the new industries being promoted under the China's 12th Five-Year Plan and at the same time manufacturers exploring emerging markets as their production base to reduce operating costs.”

Clement Chen, Chairman of HKPC, said: “While we continue to offer technology support to SMEs in their new ventures, we will step up our backing to businesses with the launch of SME One in July. It will serve as a one-stop hub with information of various SME funding schemes and related consultation service. We also implement the Enterprise Support Programme of the Government’s newly launched $1 billion dedicated fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestics Sales.”

Speakers at today’s summit included:

Ms Margaret Fong, Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Mr George Leung, Advisor, Asia Pacific (Strategy & Economics), HSBC
Mr Clement Chen, Chairman, HKPC
Mr Jeffrey Lam, Committee Member, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce / Member, Legislative Council
Mr Stanley Lau, Deputy Chairman, Federation of Hong Kong Industries
Dr Charles Chan, Chairman, Tunbow Group
Ms Sally Ngan, Director, Golden Crown Enterprises International Ltd.
Mr Kelvin Ng, Co-Founder, Managing Director and Chief Designer, GIORMANI

27 June 2012

Source: The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited Press Release