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Press Releases

Director-General of Trade and Industry visited Guangzhou
Wednesday, November 21, 2001

New Services Provided by the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Guangdong Province

Mr. Joshua Law, the Director-General of Trade and Industry visited Guangzhou on 20 and 21 November (Tuesday and Wednesday) to meet with provincial/municipal leaders, including Mr. Tang Bing-quan, Vice-Governor of the People' Government of Guangdong; Mr. Liang Wei-fa, Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province; and Mr. Zhang Guang-ning, Executive Vice Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, as well as relevant trade and economic authorities.

"The objective of the visit is to strengthen exchange and liaison between Hong Kong and Guangdong on trade and commerce matters. We are particularly pleased to learn from Vice Governor Tang Ping-quan and Mr. Liang Wei-fa that the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Guangdong Province set up a Guangdong Investment Promotion Centre (Guangdong Complaint Office for Foreign Enterprises) today (21 November). This Centre deals with, inter alia, complaints and enquiries from foreign investors. The services offered by the Centre will greatly facilitate Hong Kong businessmen doing business in the Guangdong Province. We were also briefed on the launch of the Department's website (http://www.gddoftec.gov.cn) which provided information on the policies, rules and regulations affecting the operation of business in Guangdong." Mr. Law said.

Mr. Law also discussed with the various Mainland authorities the trading relationship between the two places, and general issues concerning the operation of Hong Kong businessmen in the Guangdong Province.

"The Trade and Industry Department has been working closely with the relevant authorities in the Mainland over the past two years to resolve problems faced by Hong Kong manufacturers in the processing trade. We very much appreciate the assistance given by various parties, including the Guangdong authorities, in resolving the issues in a pragmatic manner. We look forward to further dialogue and co-operation with the Guangdong authorities on matters of mutual interest." Mr. Law said.

"We also discussed during the meetings the economic implications of China's accession to the WTO. China's entry into the WTO not only marks the beginning of a new stage of development in the multilateral trading system, it also heralds vast opportunities for the Hong Kong business community, including trade in goods and services. As Vice Governor Tang says, Hong Kong is the largest source of foreign direct investment in the Mainland. In Guangdong alone, Hong Kong businessmen are employing directly or indirectly about 5 million people. China's accession to WTO will foster even closer trading and economic partnership between Hong Kong and Guangdong, and help boost Hong Kong's external trade and intermediary services." Mr.Law added.

"The Trade and Industry Department will continue to strengthen our liaison with our Mainland counterparts to obtain information on Mainland policies and regulations affecting Hong Kong businessmen, and disseminate it to the trade. We will also continue to reflect the views and concerns of local businessmen to the relevant authorities through regular visits and other channels." Mr. Law said.

During his visit on 21 November, Mr. Law called on Mr. Tang Bing-quan, Vice-Governor of the People' Government of Guangdong; Mr. Liang Wei-fa, Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province; Mr. Zhang Guang-ning, Executive Vice Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government; and Ms. Sha Shao-juan, Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Sub-administration of the Customs General Administration. He also paid a visit to the Guangzhou Administration and Service Centre (GASC) for Foreign Investors. The GASC offered one-stop advisory and licensing services to foreign investors, including those wishing to set up their businesses in Guangzhou.

On 20 November, Mr. Law had an informal meeting with the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China (Guangdong) to hear their experiences in operating businesses in Guangzhou.