Press Releases

Seminar on the Mainland's Western Region Development for SMEs
Wednesday, August 1, 2001

The Trade and Industry Department (TID) will organise a seminar on the Mainland¡¦s Western Region Development for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at the Hong Kong Arts Centre Shouson Theatre on August 13 (Monday) to help SMEs understand seize the opportunities brought about by the development of the Western Region.

Hong Kong has close trade and economic relations with the Mainland. The development strategy for the Western Region announced by the Mainland is providing a window of opportunity for Hong Kong businesses to gain even greater access to the Mainland market.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation to Xian, Beijing, Chengdu and Urumqi from 20 to 29 May. The visit aimed atwas organised to familiarizesing Hong Kong business leaders with the market opportunities in the Western Region, and to enabling delegatese us to brief theirour counterparts in the Western Region on what Hong Kong canould offer.

The seminar is a follow-up to the May visit. It provides a forum for local SMEs to find out more about business opportunities in the Western Region, and to exchange views with business leaders who have a good understanding of the Region. As a follow up programme after the visit, the TID has invited several members of the HKSAR Delegation to the Western Region to share their experience with the visit and investing in the Western Region. Business leaders who have thorough understanding of the trade and economic development in the Mainland, especially the Western Region, are also invited to share their perception and vision on the role to be played by SMEs in the development of the Western Region as a whole.

The Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Joshua Law, will officiate the opening and give a welcomeing and introductory remarks speech at the sSeminar. He will be followed by two keynote speeches by Mr Jeffery Lam, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries,; and Mr Eddy Li, President of Hong Kong Economic & Trade Association, will be the key-note speakers. They will share their views on the possible role that can be played by Hong Kong SMEs in the development of the Western Region..

Five Part two will be experience-sharing session by members of the HKSAR Delegation will also speak onto the Western Region their experience. Members of the Dele. They gation who will attend are: Mr Ko Kam-chuen, Chairman, Jardin Matheson (China) Ltd.; Mr Lo Yuk-lam, Chairman, Hong Kong Biotechnology Association; Mr Cliff Sun, Managing Director, Kin Hip Metal & Plastic Factory; Mr. Wong Man Kong, Chairman, M.K. Corporation Ltd; and Mr Gordon Wu, Chairman and Managing Director, Hopewell Holdings Ltd.

Professor Richard Ho, Dean, Faculty of Business of the City University of Hong Kong will be the moderator moderate the proceedings.of this seminar.

The seminar will be held at 2:30 p.m. on August 13 (Monday) at the Hong Kong Arts Centre Shousan Theatre, No. 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Admission is free. SME operators, relevant trade and industrial associations, professional bodies and anyonemembers of the HKSAR Delegation to the Western Region, as well as those who are interested in the topic are welcome to join the event which. will be held at 2.30 pm on August 13 (Monday) at Hong Kong Arts Centre Shousan Theatre, No. 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

For reservation and enquiries, please call the TID at 2398 5680 or 2398 5596.