Carlos Genardini, co-chair of Internet Coast, points to tremendous opportunities for US firms in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland

Hong Kong is the vital link for small and medium sized-enterprises in the US and the Chinese mainland, said the head of a Florida-based technology association at the recent Hong Kong Information Infrastructure Expo and Conference (II Expo).

Carlos Genardini, co-chair of Internet Coast which represents over 8,000 IT companies on the eastern seaboard, generating some HK$210 billion (US$27 billion) in sales, said Hong Kong is the gateway to the mainland just as Florida is the gateway to Latin America.

"Hong Kong is in almost every industry and technology like in Florida. Added to that you have excellent support infrastructure. Take for example the Hong Kong Science Park, which is a great incubator for start-up companies. It helps these firms become a reality," Mr Genardini said.

He added that there are tremendous growth opportunities in Hong Kong and the mainland for the IT companies he represents in Internet Coast. These firms range from telecommunications to services and biotechnology industries. "Our interest is to promote our SMEs and see what linkages or joint-ventures we can create with Hong Kong companies to enter the Pearl River Delta or other parts of the mainland."

The four-day II Expo attracted over 400 exhibitors, the biggest international and local participation in the expo's history. A survey conducted among 120 exhibitors and 1,116 trade visitors from the information and telecommunication technology (ICT) industry showed that ICT players are upbeat on 2003 business outlook. They viewed the Asia-Pacific and the mainland in particular as growth engines in the ICT market.   

The participants also listed top Hong Kong advantages as proximity to the Chinese mainland, a good telecommunications infrastructure, good understanding of markets and trends, and a sound law and order system in ICT.

How Florida companies could tap the China market by partnering with HK companies

Related links: 
Webcasts of Hong Kong Information Infrastructure Expo & Conference http://webcastsearch.tdctrade.com/channel.asp?ID=wc0040601&lang=0
Hong Kong Information Infrastructure Expo & Conference www.hkiiexpo.com/indexms.htm