Over 400 Business Representatives Attend Hong Kong Forum.

Top International Brands Trumpet Hong Kong's Advantages

Hong Kong, Dec 2, 2014 - (ACN Newswire) - More than 400 business representatives from around the world are taking part in the 15th Hong Kong Forum which opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The two-day event is co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide (FHKBAW).

Panel discussions, seminars and a variety of networking events are arranged during the forum, with a focus on business opportunities in Hong Kong and throughout Asia. Topics include brand building, the business of lifestyle and culture, offshore renminbi business, as well as China opportunities and start-ups business in Hong Kong.

The Forum welcomes first-time participants from Latvia, Malaysia and Taiwan. Other participants are from the Chinese mainland, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Canada and US.

Valuable Business Opportunities

Speaking at the opening ceremony, HKTDC Chairman Jack So said the Chinese mainland is an increasingly important business partner for Hong Kong and this trend will continue in the years ahead. "We want more local and overseas companies to set up in Hong Kong and take advantage of our city's unique advantages as an international, business-friendly place that has the best access to markets in China and across Asia," Mr So said.

He added that Hong Kong is increasingly seen as the best place for Chinese companies to "go global". "Hong Kong provides the right environment, the best contacts and the right knowledge to assist Chinese firms wishing to expand their horizons to Europe, the US and around the globe," Mr So said. The HKTDC is active in connecting ambitious Chinese companies to the right partners in Hong Kong with a view to reaching new markets overseas. "We're confident that this will create more business opportunities for Hong Kong-based service suppliers," Mr So added.

Brands Hub

International brands use Hong Kong as a base to expand their businesses on the Chinese mainland and across Asia. During the Forum's opening panel discussion, Santoni's Asia Regional Director Andrea Casavecchia, AmorePacific Hong Kong's Managing Director Fion Ipp and Pandora Asia's President Kenneth Madsen discussed the advantages of brand building in Asia through Hong Kong.

Connecting Asia

In the day's second seminar, leaders of three successful companies in Asia talked about their winning strategies and how their companies have benefited from Hong Kong's unique business-friendly environment. Speakers included Lee George Lam, Macquarie Capital's Indochina, Myanmar and Thailand Chairman, First Pacific's Executive Vice President John Ryan and Plaza Premium Lounge Management's Founder and CEO Song Hoi See.

Business of Lifestyle and Culture

Two young business leaders, New World Development Company Limited's Executive Director Adrian Cheng and Richemont Asia Pacific Limited's Regional Chief Executive Alain Li, discussed their ideas for integrating art and culture into successful commercial ventures during the "Luncheon Dialogue: the Business of Lifestyle and Culture".

Expanding Horizons

Two afternoon seminars focused on China opportunities. Bank of China's Deputy Chief Executive Jason Yeung analysed developments in offshore renminbi business, while two MPEs listed in Hong Kong shared their successful strategies for expanding into overseas markets through Hong Kong. The speakers included ANTA Sports Products Limited's Brand President Zheng Jie and Shenguan Holdings (Group) Ltd's Zhou Yaxian.

Day Two

On the second day of the Hong Kong Forum tomorrow, HKSAR Secretary for Justice, Rimsky Yuen, will be the guest of honour at the Keynote Luncheon. During the morning programme, a number of overseas business leaders will also share their experiences of launching or expanding their businesses in Hong Kong. Speakers include Jax Coco's CEO and Co-founder Alex Ing, Evergreen Land Limited's Director and Founding Partner Olivier Partrat and Jolla Ltd's Vice President Jason Rice. Swire Properties Limited's Chief Executive Martin Cubbon and Project Leader Charlie Melvoin will introduce "blueprint", a project which helps B2B tech startups develop products and expand their markets through free co-working space at Taikoo Place, access to professional support and interaction among fellow entrepreneurs.

Mainland Visit

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is one of the most economically vibrant cities in the Chinese mainland with a reputation as the "capital of silk and women's garments" and a fast-developing high-tech sector. From December 4-6, the HKTDC's Director for External Relations Clare Wong will lead some 40 FHKBAW members from 11 countries and regions to Hangzhou. As well as meeting government officials, the group will also visit such companies as Wahaha Group, Hangzhou MTR, Alibaba, and Zhejiang Zhongnan Animation Ltd, to explore tripartite cooperation among companies from Hong Kong, Zhejiang and overseas.

The two-day Hong Kong Forum is the annual gathering of the FHKBAW, which comprises 38 associations around the world a total of about 11,000 members.

Value Added

Participants of the Hong Kong Forum can add value to their experience by visiting three concurrent events organised by the HKTDC. Also taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this week are the Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum (4-5 Dec), the World SME Expo and Inno Design Tech Expo (4-6 Dec).

Website: http://www.hkfederation.org.hk/forum/forum2014

Photo Download: http://filesharing.tdc.org.hk/hktdc/download.php?fid=_php1tubWS

About 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 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 trade fairs 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 online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com. Follow us on Google+, Twitter @hktdc, LinkedIn.

Google+: http://plus.google.com/+hktdc

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hktdc

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-trade-development-council

Source: HKTDC

Contact:

HKTDC
Corporate Communication Department
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

Copyright 2014 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved.

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Publication:	ACN Newswire
Geographic Code:	9HONG
Date:	Dec 2, 2014
Words:	1021
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