TDC Executive Director Michael Sze (right) and Shenzhen vice Mayor Chen Yingchun at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Cepa Centre

Overseas companies have a new one-stop resource for gathering information on how to take advantage of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Cepa). The Hong Kong Cepa Centre, which opened on 17 March, is run by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), and provides the answers to many questions global firms may have about the new free trade deal between China and Hong Kong.

The Centre will provide the latest news and related market information on Cepa, and will also organise practical workshops for Cepa-relevant industries. Officials from the Chinese mainland, including delegates form Shenzhen and Guangzhou, will be on hand to provide one-on-one advice and assistance to SMEs. TDC Executive Director Michael Sze and Shenzhen vice Mayor Chen Yingchun co-officiated at the opening ceremony.

"Cepa is starting to attract more overseas firms to make better use of Hong Kong's platform to break into China. A powerful new selling point for Hong Kong, Cepa has been the theme of TDC's recent overseas promotions. The Hong Kong Centre can help overseas companies in Hong Kong to meet face-to-face with mainland officials for practical business advice," said Mr Sze.

Mr Sze said that response to the Centre had been very encouraging, with some 200 companies applying to use the advisory services.

Other Cepa Centres are due to open in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou by the end of March, as part of an HK$80 million (US$10.2 million) Cepa promotion by TDC. The fund will also cover a nationwide information hotline as well as other promotional strategies related to Cepa.