|
| Tuesday, 4 December 2012, 18:20 HKT/SGT | |
| |  | |
Source: HKTDC | |
|
|
|
|
| Two-Day Event Attracts Business Leaders from 24 Countries |
HONG KONG, Dec 4, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - Nearly 400 business leaders from 24 countries and regions are taking part in the 13th 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 entrepot.
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 Nicole Wakley, founder of Tree.
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
Contact:
HKTDC
Corporate Communication Department
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
Topic: Trade Show or Conference
Source: HKTDC
Sectors: Trade Shows
https://www.acnnewswire.com
From the Asia Corporate News Network
Copyright © 2025 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
