Press Releases

Seminar on the Mainland's Western Region Development for SMEs
Monday, August 13, 2001

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

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation to Xian, Beijing, Chengdu and Urumqi in May. The seminar was a follow-up to that visit. It provided a forum for local SMEs to find out more about business opportunities in the Western Region, and to exchange views with business leaders having a good understanding of the Region.

"China's imminent accession to the World Trade Organization would accelerate its economic growth," said Mr Joshua Law, the Director-General of Trade and Industry, at the seminar. "This, coupled with the decision to develop the Western China, would bring enormous changes to the marco-economic environment of the Region. In view of these changes and challenges, the HKSAR Government would spare no efforts in helping our businessmen understand more about the business prospects in the Region. This was one main objective of the Delegation led by Chief Secretary for Administration in May. The visit also enabled us to showcase our strength to the Western Region, enhance mutual understanding, strengthen two-way exchanges and foster closer co-operation between the two places." he added.

In order to assess the effectiveness of the visit, Mr Law said that the Government had conducted a questionnaire survey in June to seek the views of the delegates. "The response was very good. Eighty-eight per cent of the delegates completed the questionnaires and returned them to the TID. More than 90 per cent of the respondents agreed that the objectives had been achieved. Over 90 per cent were satisfied or very satisfied with the logistical arrangements of the visit." Mr Law said. The respondents in general considered that the business symposia, the meetings with the central and provincial leaders, the banquets and the project visits provided useful opportunities for them to understand the local business environment.

"On the way forward, the respondents generally considered that the Government (and the Trade Development Council) should actively promote the trade and investment activities between Hong Kong and its trading partners in the Mainland, and help local businessmen explore new opportunities. Detailed proposals included wider dissemination of updated business information, and more seminars and discussion sessions for the business sector to exchange views and experience on doing business in the Mainland. Most people also felt that the Government should arrange similar visits in due course."

Mr Law thanked the delegates for their valuable comments. The TID would, through various channels, disseminate the information about the Western Region Development to the local businessmen, in particular the SMEs, to help them better understand the market and explore new business opportunities.

"The Department has already set up a special "Western Development" section on its homepage. This section has also been hyperlinked to the TID SME homepage. It can facilitate the business sector, specially the SMEs, to obtain relevant information about the Region."

"The TID would strengthen our liaison with local business sector, in particular the SMEs, to reflect their concerns about the investment environment of the Western Region, and their views and suggestions to the relevant Mainland authorities through the appropriate channels." added Mr Law.

The Department has invited two keynote speakers to address the seminar to share their opinions with the participants on the role that can be played by Hong Kong SMEs in the development of the Western Region. They are Mr Jeffery Lam, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and Mr Eddy Li, President of Hong Kong Economic & Trade Association.

Five members of the HKSAR Delegation also shared their experience on the visit. They are Mr Ko Kam-chuen, Chairman, Jardine 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 was the moderator of the seminar.