Invest Hong Kong and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) today (March 2) jointly organised an investment promotion seminar in Tokyo to present the advantages of Hong Kong as a strategic base from which innovation and green technology companies can capture rapidly growing business opportunities in Asia Pacific and Mainland China. More than 70 senior Japanese business executives participated in the seminar where key speakers encouraged them to join the many Japanese companies that are already in Hong Kong and to take advantage of the city’s infrastructure support for their business development.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Charles Ng, emphasised the distinct advantages of Hong Kong’s position. He said, “Hong Kong is uniquely located at the heart of Asia and as a gateway to Mainland China, offering easy access to high-growth economies and strong demand for foreign products and services. At the same time, there are many low cost production and sourcing centres in the Mainland and around the region.”
He added, “Hong Kong’s enduring advantages of low and simple tax, free flow of capital and information, and rule of law have attracted many multinational companies to set up regional headquarters in Hong Kong. Many of them have chosen to put their high value business functions like R&D, global sourcing, treasury, and sales and marketing functions in Hong Kong, with their production facilities across the border in the Pearl River Delta region.”
Innovation and technology is one of six new industries highlighted as areas for economic growth by the Hong Kong Government, which has set aside research funding schemes and provided state-of-the art facilities like HKSTPC to support the industry.
Chief Executive Officer of HKSTPC, Mr Anthony Tan, underscored the role of Hong Kong as the regional R&D hub for innovation and technology companies. He said, “Hong Kong has a very strong intellectual property protection regime and the Mainland is emerging as a leader in many green energy and environmental areas. Together we offer substantial economic growth and business opportunities. Our city’s role as the R&D hub is taking shape as we see intensifying collaboration between Hong Kong and Mainland China on technology in R&D including product development, services and production.
He continued, “Hong Kong Science Park provides the latest facilities and value-added services like incubation programme, business development initiatives and a fundraising platform to help create business success. Our latest efforts to nurture a green cluster in Hong Kong led to the development of Science Park Phase 3, which is due for completion in phases starting 2013 to develop Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region as the hub for clean tech.”
During the seminar, two executives from leading Japanese technology companies shared their practical tips and successful experiences in setting up in Hong Kong. They were President of Fuji Electric Hong Kong Co Ltd, Mr Toru Eguchi, and Executive Vice President of NTT Com Asia Limited, Mr Brandon Lee.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong’s vibrant economy. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2,100 investment projects creating over 26,000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$57 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Comprising Hong Kong Science Park, InnoCentre and Industrial Estates, the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) is a statutory body dedicated to advancing innovation and technology for Hong Kong. Established in May 2001, HKSTPC has been driving the development of Hong Kong into a regional hub for innovation and growth in several focused clusters including Electronics, Information Technology & Telecommunications, Biotechnology, Precision Engineering, Green Technology through the provision of world-class infrastructure and support services which consist of full-service incubation programmes for technology and design start-ups, and market-focused laboratories & technical centres with professional technical support.
For event photos, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157626171900290
Ends/Wednesday, March 2, 2011
