Italian SMEs excited by opportunities in the PRD (hktdc.com)


TDC's Fred Lam (4th from right) tells Italian SMEs to access opportunities in the Pearl River Delta through Hong Kong

Exciting opportunities for Italian SMEs in the Pearl River Delta have been highlighted during November in a series of seminars in Varese, Brescia, Vincenza and Venice.

Any business looking to grow is now looking at China at the moment, delegates at the events were told by the Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) Frederick Lam.

"But the question that remains is how to succeed in this market?," he said.
"I firmly believe that Hong Kong offers the best way - especially for small and medium-sized enterprises - to work in and with China".

Mr Lam highlighted the benefits of Cepa, the first free trade agreement signed by both China and Hong Kong which he said would make Hong Kong more attractive as a business platform for all companies interested in the China market.

The events were jointly organised by the Italian Institute Foreign Commerce (ICE) and the TDC and follow the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two organisations earlier this year.

Speakers at the seminars were Director of ICE Hong Kong Carlo Angelo Bocchi, who described Hong Kong's role in the mainland economy; Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries Andrew Leung, who outlined the advantages Hong Kong offers as a platform for business following Cepa agreement; the Managing Director of Milo's Knitwear (Int'l) Ltd Willy Lin, who spoke about investing in China via Hong Kong, with particular reference to the textiles industry; and Hermes Pazzaglini, an Italian lawyer working in Hong Kong with Barlow, Lyde & Gilbert who explained Hong Kong and mainland legal systems.

There are around 300 Italian firms in Hong Kong, engaging in banking, transportation, trading and other service sectors. Seven Italian companies have regional headquarters in Hong Kong, while another 41 have regional offices. Trade between Italy and Hong Kong was valued at US$3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2003.