UK Trade Minister said Hong Kong had much to offer British SMEs interested in China

Patricia Hewitt, the UK's Secretary for Trade and Industry said British companies had a high level of expertise and experience, especially in the areas of ICT, healthcare and the creative industries, and that Hong Kong offered an ideal partner to help access the Chinese mainland.

"Our historical links, as well as Hong Kong's unrivalled experience in the mainland, make Hong Kong an ideal platform for British companies, she said during a meeting with Peter Woo, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Commenting after the meeting, Ms Hewitt said, "We both agreed that we need to step up the engagement of UK businesses with Hong Kong and the mainland. We would also like to see more British businesses take advantage of Hong Kong's unique position both as a huge market in its own right and as gateway to the mainland and particularly into the Pearl River Delta."      

The minister was particularly interested in the Pearl River Delta region as a market for UK services, given its sizeable economy, rapid growth and high consumer spending power. [Click for more information on the Pearl River Delta].

The whole of China under one roof

One initiative discussed was to encourage more British companies to visit the annual SME Market Day, held in Hong Kong. The event, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, brings together regional development agencies and SME support services from across China and the Asia region.

"An event like this would give British companies the opportunity to explore opportunities in a variety of Chinese regions, without having to incur the cost in time and money of visiting all these areas individually," said Ms Hewitt.

Ms Hewitt suggested that a working level meeting between representatives of Hong Kong and UK SMEs could be formed to further enhance partnerships between the two business sectors in the Hong Kong/Pearl River Delta region.

The minister also said UK companies needed to be more aware of the recently signed Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Cepa). "Awareness among British companies is low of the business opportunities this free trade deal opens up," she said.

More details in Cepa - A simple guide.

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UK Trade & Investment