From left to right: Representative from Canada, David Matheson, TDC's Executive Director, Mr Michael Sze, Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide, Mr Christopher Leu, TDC's Chairman, Mr Peter Woo, Representative from Australia, Mr Yossi Weidenfeld, Immediate Past Chairman of the Federation, Mr Maxwell Brotman and Representative from Denmark, Bjorn Larsen

The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Cepa) has made Hong Kong's position as a global trade platform even more dynamic, according to chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), Peter Woo.

Mr Woo's speech, titled "Making the Most of Your Hong Kong Connection", was delivered to some 326 overseas business leaders at the Hong Kong Forum, the annual event of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide, held 28-29 October.

"Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta had a bullish future without Cepa. With Cepa, the sky is the limit," said Mr Woo. "First, there will be new opportunities in PRD markets ahead of and beyond China's WTO commitments. Second, Cepa will create new Hong Kong-PRD synergies in production for world markets. Third, there will be enhanced cooperation between Hong Kong and Guangdong to smooth the increased flow of goods, capital and people."

Mr Woo described Federation members as "Hong Kong's partners and ambassadors abroad" and said that the next five years was a very exciting time for the region.

The Federation, Hong Kong's strongest overseas network of business associations, is comprised of some 9000 members from 22 countries, all of whom have close business ties and connections with Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Forum connects the Federation and its member associations to Hong Kong's global platform and services, through a series of seminars, guest speakers, panel discussions and trips to the Cyberport and Science and Technology Park. Delegates at this year's Forum also had the opportunity to attend a side-trip to the Pearl River Delta cities of Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Zhongshan.

Attendance at this year's Forum was up more than 47 per cent over last year.

More details at www.hkfederation.org.hk

More details at 'Cepa' free trade deal