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| Claude Sorbello director of group procurement Dairy Farm |
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About 67 per cent of overseas buyers are willing to pay premiums to purchase Hong Kong products as opposed to buying direct from the Chinese mainland, according to a recent online survey conducted by Global Sources.
A range of factors contribute to this preference including Hong Kong suppliers' language and communication skills, design capabilities, product quality and management expertise. Only 30 per cent of buyers cited price as the key factor leading to a decision to purchase from Hong Kong.
Survey findings also indicate that a low tax regime, convenient air and sea links, good telecom services and Hong Kong's status as a financial centre are all rated high by Hong Kong buyers and suppliers when asked how much these factors contributed to their competitive advantage. Other respondents cited Hong Kong's reliable deliveries and logistics, its R&D and design capabilities.
Strong competitive advantages
Claude Sorbello director of group procurement at Dairy Farm, a leading pan Asian retailer based in Hong Kong said: "Hong Kong suppliers still maintain strong competitive advantages and attributes, many of which add value to the services they provide to buyers like us.
"Although China suppliers are becoming more competitive, we have a lot of confidence in Hong Kong suppliers' strengths in product design and quality control as well as their language and communication skills."
The online survey conducted in late October examines the views of overseas buyers and Hong Kong suppliers about Hong Kong's role in international trade. It generated 323 responses from buyers in eight regions including North America, Western Europe and Asia and 121 responses. The buyer and supplier respondents are from a variety of product categories ranging from electronic components to finished electronics and general merchandise.
Nasdaq-listed Global Sources creates and facilitates global trade between buyers and suppliers through its trade magazines, trade fairs and online marketplace.
Related link:
Global Sources www.globalsources.com
