(From left) Fred Lam, TDC Executive Director, Sir Stephen Brown, Chief Executive, UK Trade & Investment, The Hon. Donald Tsang, Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSAR Government and Peter Woo, TDC Chairman

Chairman of Haymarket Publishing Group Lord Heseltine highlights Hong Kong's advantages as a business centre

The packed agenda included the largest joint promotion in Europe between Hong Kong and Guangdong Province in southern China, which attracted over 1,200 delegates to Westminster.

Highlights included a seminar entitled Hong Kong-Your Fast Track to China, where Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) Peter Woo urged UK companies to use Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta as the best entry point to the mainland market. 

Describing the spectacular level of economic growth in China, Mr. Woo pointed out that imports into the mainland are growing faster than exports.

"This spells major opportunities for UK firms because you have the business skills and the consumer products they want," he said.

Other speakers at the seminar included Director-General of Invest Hong Kong Mike Rowse; and Chairman of Haymarket Publishing Group Lord Heseltine who highlighted Hong Kong's advantages as a business centre.

"It's difficult to think of a more vibrant society than Hong Kong, which is alive with talent," he said. 

New partnership initiative

Trade links between Hong Kong and Britain were moved up a level when representatives from both business communities launched a new partnership initiative.

The Hong Kong-UK Business Partnership will develop business opportunities by offering practical information and support to SMEs in the UK and Hong Kong through a programme of sector-specific activities. Initially the Partnership will concentrate on opportunities for the creative industries and ICT/electronics, sectors important to both UK and Hong Kong.

The Partnership brings together the services of UK Trade & Investment and TDC to maximise assistance to companies in their respective markets. 

UK Minister for Construction, Small Business and Enterprise Nigel Griffiths MP said Britain sees Hong Kong as one of the great economic success stories from which to learn, particularly as it forms greater links with the Chinese mainland.

The day's events culminated with the TDC's annual London dinner, which was attended by over 300 business leaders and senior government officials. The Hong Kong guest of honour was Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang. UK guest of honour Sir Stephen Brown, Chief Executive of UK Trade & Investment, pointed out that Hong Kong companies Hutchison and Cheung Kong are now the largest corporate investors in the UK.

"We confidently expect these investments to increase, and are working hard to that end. We want to introduce Chinese companies that are extending their reach internationally to the advantages of the UK, which offers the best business environment in Europe and a gateway to EU and beyond."

The European roadshow will also extend to Marseilles, Birmingham and Cardiff.