Peter Lam Kin-ngok, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, speaks during the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on Aug 31, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
The Hong Kong Trade and Development Council is charting a new course to polish Hong Kong’s image as an international business hub, with a broad range of initiatives for attracting investment and talent, boosting global connections, developing emerging industries and supporting enterprises unveiled on Monday.
“The full resumption of quarantine-free cross-border travel has provided the exhibition and convention industry with a shot in the arm,” said HKTDC Chairman Peter Lam Kin-ngok, citing that the two jewelry exhibitions to be held this week would welcome more than 2,500 companies from 34 countries and regions, half of them from overseas.
The HKTDC will tell Hong Kong stories to overseas business communities by tapping its network of 50 offices worldwide and 47 Hong Kong business associations. Priority will be given to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and regions within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Riding high on the lifting of the travel restrictions, the HKTDC laid out four major work focuses for this year. First, it will help Hong Kong attract investment and talent by creating opportunities that bring international and Chinese mainland companies to do business via the city. Measures include enriching the content of this year’s Belt and Road Summit as well as organizing overseas missions led by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government officials and sector-based China Overseas Investment missions.
ALSO READ: AFF marks promising start to financial activity in Hong Kong in 2023
Second, it will tell Hong Kong stories to overseas business communities by tapping its network of 50 offices worldwide and 47 Hong Kong business associations. Priority will be given to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and regions within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Also, Hong Kong pavilions will be organized at mega international exhibitions and fairs, such as the China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing and the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Third, the HKTDC will ramp up efforts in developing emerging industries such as technology and innovation, medical and healthcare, as well as sustainability. Fourth, year-round support programs will be launched to give a leg-up to local firms, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and startups.
READ MORE: Futian, HK poised for closer economic integration
Looking ahead, the HKTDC’s focus will continue to be aligned with the government’s policy direction of revitalizing the economy and the national development objectives as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), Lam said.
“A string of exhibitions, conferences, overseas promotions and business activities to be organized this year will further leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantage of proximity to the Chinese mainland and international connections and strengthen the city’s role as a global business hub by connecting local, mainland and international businesses and creating new opportunities for them,” he said.
Contact the writer at evanliu@chinadailyhk.com