Germany-China Link Via The Belt and Road Initiative
15 September 2016 – China intends to use the new Belt and Road Initiative, fashioned on the ancient Silk Road trade routes, to establish a global infrastructure network for trade, commerce and cultural connectivity. The Initiative, announced in 2013, aims to reinforce infrastructual and financial links from Asia to Europe covering more than 60 countries which account for about 30 per cent of global GDP. This game-changing strategy, comprising a Maritime Silk Road and the land-based Silk Road Economic Belt, will open up trade flows between regions and ultimately create more business opportunities for small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs). It will be of particular benefit to companies in these regions, as the project aims to remove trade and investment barriers between Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe and facilitate market integration.
With the Belt and Road Initiative representing a long-term international strategy, the Chinese government aims to first establish a trans-regional infrastructure network, including new pipelines, railways, roads and deep-sea ports. And projects are already bearing fruit, with a new rail cargo service launched this month between the Chinese city of Xi’an in China and the German port city of Hamburg. The first train departed Xi’an on 2 September for 13-day trip to Hamburg via Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Poland, which are all key nodes along the Silk Road Economic Belt. This follows the earlier launch in 2012 of a rail cargo service between Duisburg in Germany and Chongqing in China. Faster and more efficient cargo links between Europe and Asia will encourage more SMEs to explore new markets.
Meanwhile, the construction of roads and ports is already under way, with financial support coming from the new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund. This illustrates the significance of the Belt and Road Initiative to German SMEs in general, and the best way for them to capitalise on the opportunities is by using Hong Kong’s advantages as a gateway to China and “super-connector“ for the Belt and Road. These advantages include financial ease afforded by Hong Kong’s fully convertible currency and no restrictions on the flow of capital as well as the city’s offshore renminbi trade settlement facility. All companies in Hong Kong enjoy the benefits of a low tax regime, common law system and independent judiciary, world-class transport and logistics infrastructure and a full range of business services such as accounting, marketing, IP protection and dispute resolution services. This has attracted some 3,800 mainland Chinese and overseas companies to establish their regional headquarters or regional offices in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong: Bridgehead for international companies
In building the Belt and Road and maximising business potential from the Initiative, Hong Kong is a decisive factor for European companies. “The Belt and Road Initiative offers the prospect of sustainable, mutually-beneficial relations among the countries involved as well as other regions such as North America, which can also be part of this inclusive strategy. Hong Kong is an international city with a highly proficient services sector and, hence, offers a multitude of competences and experiences to assist European companies to profit from the Initiative," says Raymond Yip, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), which has been creating global business opportunities for Hong Kong since 1966. "The Initiative will promote new infrastructure development and enhance connectivity. Implementing it will require highly professional financial management and project management and Hong Kong possesses excellent resources in the sectors of capital procurement, insurance, project analysis and professional services. In addition, Hong Kong’s common law system offers ideal conditions for drafting and enforcing contracts."
With a prime location in Asia, business-friendly policies and abundant opportunities, Hong Kong is attracting German enterprises that have their sights set on Asia’s emerging markets. The number of such companies, according to information from the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, has already reached 675. And the number is expected to grow further as Belt and Road-related opportunities continue to emerge in the region.
Mega event to highlight new opportunities
Economic ties between Germany and Asia are intensifying, and the HKTDC’s flagship promotion called “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" (TATHK), is being organised for the first time in Germany to highlight the new opportunities. About 100 Hong Kong and mainland government officials and business leaders representing a wide spectrum of sectors such as professional services, marketing, finance, logistics and technology are taking part in the event. On 28 September in Frankfurt am Main and Düsseldorf, and on 29 September in Hamburg and Munich, a total of 1,700 German business people will be able to get exclusive insights into the range of advantages provided by Hong Kong from more than 30 heavyweight speakers. During “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong“, a series of seminars will be held to analyse the prospects for closer business collaboration and address key topics such as finance, technology, shipping & logistics and selling to China. On 27 September, the Hong Kong Dinner will be held in Frankfurt where the political and business leaders from Hong Kong and Germany gather to exchange ideas. A total of 1,700 representatives of German companies are expected to attend this mega event.
For further information on TATHK, go to http://www.thinkasiathinkhk.com/2016.
*Lucky Draw : All participants at the “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong” seminar in Düsseldorf who register for the event before 23 September 2016 will have a chance to win two Cathay Pacific Premium Economy round-trip tickets from Düsseldorf or Frankfurt to Hong Kong. The HKTDC will provide information about the lucky draw and the terms & conditions on request.
Pressekontakt
Christiane Koesling
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)
Kreuzerhohl 5-7
60439 Frankfurt, Germany
Tel: 069 - 9 57 72 - 161
Fax: 069 - 9 57 72 - 200
E-Mail: christiane.koesling@hktdc.org
Informationen im Internet: http://www.hktdc.com/
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Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HKTDC
LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/1uVLtDv[ERLAM2]
Über das Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Das 1966 gegründete Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) ist eine halbstaatliche Non-Profit-Organisation zur Förderung der internationalen Wirtschaftsbeziehungen Hongkongs und verfügt über ein weltweites Netz von über 40 Niederlassungen. In Frankfurt ist das HKTDC seit über 40 Jahren ansässig, seit 2008 mit dem Regionalbüro für Europa. Mehr Informationen finden Sie unter www.hktdc.com.
About the HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.