“Think Asia, Think Hong Kong” Opens Next Week in the UK
 |
|
| At today’s “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong” press release, HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Raymond Yip (centre) is joined by UK Trade & Investment Trade Commissioner Stephen Cartwright (right) and InvestHK Director-General Simon Galpin | |
 |
|
| Speaking to the media, HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Raymond Yip described “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong” as the largest promotion the Council has ever held in the United Kingdom | |
 |
|
| UK Trade & Investment Trade Commissioner Stephen Cartwright told the media that Hong Kong and the UK have maintained close ties in trade and business | |
 |
|
| InvestHK Director-General Simon Galpin said UK companies continue to come to Hong Kong despite global economic uncertainties |
6 September 2011 – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is set to launch its largest promotional campaign in the United Kingdom, showcasing Hong Kong’s advantages for British companies looking to tap new business opportunities in Asia, particularly on the Chinese mainland. “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong,” which begins 12 September, is organised with support from more than 50 Hong Kong partners and British organisations.
Think Asia, Think Hong Kong will include a series of events in the UK, including a 13 September, high-level symposium in London. HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Raymond Yip said organisers expect more than 2,000 UK corporate leaders, heads of small and medium-sized enterprises, services providers, academics and opinion leaders with a special interest in Asia, particularly the Chinese mainland, to attend the event. Some 100 senior government officials and business people from Hong Kong will also take part.
Gateway to Opportunity
“This is the first time that the HKTDC, with 18 Hong Kong partners and 33 supporting organisations, has organised such a large-scale event in London,” said Mr Yip, adding that the goal is to market Hong Kong as the region’s services hub for UK companies looking to Asia for business and financial opportunities. “As the global economy shifts to Asia, the city, with its central location and free-market economy, offers the best opportunities in the region,” he said. “Hong Kong is the ideal city for British companies seeking a gateway to the mainland market, given our close ties with the UK and deepening economic integration with the mainland.”
That reality was only underlined by the response to the programme’s 13 September business consultation service. To date, some 400 requests have been received by UK companies eager to do business in Asia and seeking advice from Hong Kong services providers in a variety of sectors.
High-Level Discussions
At Think Asia, Think Hong Kong’s anchor event, the 13 September symposium, Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and Lord Sassoon, British Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, will present keynote speeches. Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, British Minister of State for Trade and Investment, will deliver the symposium’s closing remarks. (For an HKTDC webcast interview with Lord Green, “UK Trade Minister Sees Opportunities in Hong Kong,” please visit: http://www.youtube.com/hktdc#p/c/BEFD3DF0B479D462/11/58OiAwHHLaA)
Other high-profile speakers participating in the symposium include Douglas Flint, Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings, Dr Victor Fung, Group Chairman of the Li & Fung Group, Michael Miles, Chairman of Schroders plc, Anthony Nightingale, Managing Director of the Jardine Matheson Group, and Levin Zhu, President of China International Capital Corporation Ltd.
Thematic Sessions
The morning symposium will be followed by a variety of thematic sessions in the afternoon. Discussions will focus on eight areas: logistics, technology, accountancy, consulting, financing, design, legal services and infrastructure development. More than 60 speakers will showcase Hong Kong’s role as Asia’s services centre at these concurrent sessions.
In the evening, HKTDC Chairman Jack So will host the 28th Hong Kong Dinner in London, at the London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel. More than 550 guests have been invited to the signature event, which brings together political and business leaders from Hong Kong and the UK to promote closer business ties between the two economies. Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and President of the Board of Trade of the UK, will be the UK guest of honour. Mr Tsang will attend as the Hong Kong guest of honour.
Technology, Film and More
Think Asia, Think Hong Kong events are also scheduled in Leeds and Cambridge, and InvestHK will hold a promotion in Edinburgh. The HKTDC is also organising a technology mission to London, Cambridge and Stockholm, Sweden, as well as Hong Kong Film Week in London, 12-16 September. The Hong Kong Tourism Board will host a street carnival and a food-and-wine promotion as part of its “Hong Kong‧Live in London!” festival.
“We believe this large-scale campaign will work effectively to promote Hong Kong’s services industry,” said Mr Yip. “And we will continue to organise similar events in mature markets, where entrepreneurs are eagerly looking to tap into Asia.”
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Corporate Communication Department:
Joe Kainz
Tel: (852) 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com
Follow us on Twitter @TATHK
The 18 Hong Kong Partners
The British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, CreateHK, the Hong Kong Government’s Development Bureau, Hong Kong Design Centre, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Hong Kong Film Development Council, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Hong Kong Port Development Council, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Information Services Department, The Innovation and Technology Commission, InvestHK and The Law Society of Hong Kong.
The 33 UK Supporting Organisations
The 48 Group Club, Asia House, The Bar Council of England and Wales, BioIndustry Association, British Chambers of Commerce, British Design Innovation, British Expertise, Cambridge Network, Chamber International, China-Britain Business Council, City of London Corporation, Confederation of British Industry, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Design Business Association, ecoConnect, Federation of Small Businesses, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Association, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, UK Chapter, Hong Kong-UK Business Forum, The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, The Institute of Export, Institution of Civil Engineers, International Federation of Warehousing and Logistics Associations, The Law Society of England & Wales, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, London Chamber of Commerce Chinese Business Association, One Nucleus, PSL, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Scottish Council for Development & Industry, Transport Intelligence and UK Trade & Investment.