28 March 2008
Hong Kong, EU Business Leaders Meet in 9th Plenary
EU Expertise Called on for Hong Kong Infrastructure Development
28 March 2008 - International business opportunities highlighted the Hong Kong/European Union and European Union/Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committees' 9th Plenary Session, held today in Hong Kong.
Raymond Ch'ien, Chairman of the Hong Kong committee and the MTR Corporation Ltd, told the assembled senior executives from Hong Kong and EU countries, that Hong Kong would require "a great deal of expertise in the coming years, and I'm sure that the EU will have much to contribute to." Mr Ch'ien was speaking about the 10 infrastructure projects introduced by Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive, in his Policy Address last October. Mr Ch'ien added that the projects would enhance Hong Kong's international reputation as a "quality city".
During the Plenary Luncheon, the Chief Executive elaborated on the infrastructure projects, half of which are linked with the mainland. He emphasised that they would help position "Hong Kong as a focal point of the Pan-PRD" which also includes the nine southern mainland provinces and Macau.
Michael Treschow, Chairman of the EU committee and Ericsson, noted that Hong Kong's deepening integration with the Chinese mainland was another reason for EU companies to look to Hong Kong as the gateway to doing business in the mainland.
Hong Kong remains the prime choice for foreign firms who are eager to set up operations in the mainland and Asia in general, as the Chief Executive reminded his luncheon audience. As of mid-2007, some 6,440 overseas and mainland companies had established a presence in the city. That includes roughly 1,650 firms of EU origin.
Mr Treschow, Mr Ch'ien and a number of committee members also visited Shenzhen in advance of the Plenary Session. There, they met with Xu Zongheng, Mayor of Shenzhen, to discuss the Hong Kong-Shenzhen technology partnership and business opportunities.
The annual bilateral gathering is aimed at enhancing business opportunities between European and Hong Kong-based companies and exchanging views on the latest economic trends and developments affecting the EU and Hong Kong. The Plenary was organised by the Hong Trade Development Council.
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About the TDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 offices worldwide, including 11 in the Chinese mainland, the TDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and Asia. The TDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, visit www.tdctrade.com