Wolfram Schnell says German firms see Hong Kong as a safe business platform
	Kaspar Engeli explains Hong Kong's advantages for Swiss SMEs

Hong Kong is an excellent platform for high-tech operations and a perfect stepping stone particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the Chinese mainland, according to the heads of two overseas chambers of commerce.

The two visiting heads are Wolfram Schnell, Deputy Managing Director, Dresden Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Kaspar Engeli, CEO, VSIG Swiss Trade whose members' output represents about 40 per cent of Switzerland's GDP. As a senior manager for one of Germany's largest business organisations, Mr Schnell says his SME members are looking for strategic Asian locations that are "safe rather than cheap".

"I think they would find Hong Kong one of the safest places to enter China and Asian markets," he said. Mr Schell pointed out that Dresden, which is located in East Germany, has an economy based largely on high tech industries such as semi-conductor production, electrical engineering and motor industries and biotechnology.

"There are possibilities for our SME members to work together with Hong Kong, a city that is interested in becoming a high-tech hub," he added.

Mr Engeli from VSIG Swiss Trade said Hong Kong's 24-hour reliable logistics network will impress Swiss importers. So will Hong Kong's proximity to China and its reliability as a business partner. "For an SME, the world is round and there are many opportunities and possibilities to do business but for a Swiss SME to enter the China market directly is very hard. Risks are too high and there are problems with language, culture and capital. In my opinion, the only reasonable way to enter the China market is through Hong Kong as a partner."

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