13th Hong Kong Forum Opens

	Speaking at the opening today of the Hong Kong Forum, HKTDC Chairman Jack So said that Hong Kong was becoming Asia’s central business district, “riding on advantages such as the rule of law, the city’s wealth of professional services, and its long experience in international trade and doing business in China”
	The Forum’s keynote luncheon speaker was Hong Kong SAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam. Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong was “doing things to keep it being a great city.” She noted the city’s continuing development as China’s international renminbi centre
	“Hong Kong is a vibrant city with a lot of young consumers,” said Infiniti Global Ltd President Johan de Nysschen, speaking at the Outstanding Businesses Panel discussion. “By staying here, we know more about their mindset and attitude, which helps us to target buyers from Generation X and Y better”
	“Excellent connectivity to the world is a Hong Kong advantage,” said Andrew Weir, KPMG China’s Regional Senior Partner, Hong Kong. KPMG’s global headquarters and its global chairman’s office are located in Hong Kong
	Speaking at today’s Hong Kong Forum, General Electric Company Vice Chairman John Rice said that “the excellent infrastructure and location of Hong Kong supports our strategies to enter the China market”

4 December 2012 – Nearly 400 business leaders from 24 countries and regions are taking part in the 13^th Hong Kong Forum, which opened this morning and continues through 5 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

The Forum provides up-to-date business and market intelligence on Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and Asia in general. It also offers Federation members business opportunities and contacts through its wide-ranging programme of panel discussions, thematic workshops, networking sessions and optional visits. 

Central Business District
Speaking this morning at the Forum, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Chairman Jack So said that Hong Kong is becoming Asia’s central business district, “riding on advantages such as the rule of law, the city’s wealth of professional services, and its long experience in international trade and doing business in China.” Mr So added that the city is also “helping Chinese enterprises go global via the Hong Kong platform.”

At this morning’s Star Leaders Panel discussion, Andrew Weir, KPMG China’s Regional Senior Partner, Hong Kong, explained why KPMG’s global headquarters and its global chairman’s office are now located in Hong Kong.

“Excellent connectivity to the world is a Hong Kong advantage,” said Mr Weir. “Global leaders tend to stay in Hong Kong during their visits to Asia, which creates more opportunity to meet them and have quality talk.” Hong Kong, he added, is the Chinese mainland’s most important entrepôt.

Also speaking at the Star Leaders Panel discussion, General Electric Company Vice Chairman John Rice said that “the excellent infrastructure and location of Hong Kong supports our strategies to enter the China market.”

Consumer Advantages
Infiniti Global Ltd President Johan de Nysschen told the audience at the Outstanding Businesses Panel discussion that the company had established its global headquarters in Hong Kong this year. “Hong Kong is a vibrant city with a lot of young consumers,” he said. “By staying here, we know more about their mindset and attitude, which helps us to target buyers from Generation X and Y better.”

Transportation Links
The Forum’s keynote luncheon speaker was Hong Kong SAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam. Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong was “doing things to keep it being a great city.” She noted the city’s continuing development as China’s international renminbi centre. She emphasised Hong Kong’s transportation links with the mainland, with six land border crossings in place and a seventh expected to be completed by 2016. She noted the city’s regional aviation hub role, telling her audience that a third runway was in the planning stages. The West Kowloon Cultural District development and the regeneration of old urban areas were other government priorities, she added.

Dialogue with China
Forum highlights tomorrow include the morning “Dialogue with China CEOs.” Haier President Yang Mianmian and Wensli Group Chair Joanne Tu will speak at the session. Tomorrow’s luncheon will feature a “Women in Business” dialogue, led by three Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs: Angela Lee, Managing Director of JaneClare Ltd, Esther Ma, founder and CEO of Prestique Ltd, and Ariane Zagury, founder of the Rue Madame Fashion Group.

The two-day Hong Kong Forum is the annual flagship event of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide. Launched in 2000, the Federation is a network of 33 Hong Kong business associations counting more than 11,000 members in 24 countries and regions.

Forum Website: http://www.hkfederation.org.hk/forum/forum2012/main/index.asp

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

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