Chief Executive Sees Opportunities in Financial Cooperation
Business opportunities on the Chinese mainland and in Southeast Asia dominated discussions today in Hong Kong at the 32nd Plenary Session of the Hong Kong-Japan and Japan-Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committees.
Nearly 30 top business executives from Hong Kong and Japan took part in the annual bilateral meeting, chaired jointly by Dr Jonathan Choi, head of the Hong Kong-Japan Business Cooperation Committee, and his counterpart, Akimitsu Ashida, leading the Japanese side. Mr Ashida is also the Representative Director and Chairman of the Board of Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.
Asia’s Central Business District
Addressing the plenary, Dr Choi noted that Hong Kong and Japan are longstanding trading partners. He noted, however, that “there is much more that Hong Kong can offer Japanese companies, given our role as gateway to China and Hong Kong’s advantages as Asia’s central business district.”
He cited food and technology as two areas in which Hong Kong and Japanese cooperation could yield business opportunities on the mainland and elsewhere in Asia.
Also speaking at the Plenary session, VTech Chairman Allan Wong outlined opportunities in technology, while Deacons Partner Christopher Britton focused on Hong Kong’s strengths in intellectual property rights protection. Bank of China Assistant Chief Executive Zhu Yan-lai added that Japanese companies could make use of Hong Kong’s role as China’s offshore renminbi centre.
Financial Cooperation
Hong Kong SAR Government Chief Executive CY Leung, keynote speaker at the luncheon following the bilateral meeting, reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to multilateral trade. He also emphasised the opportunities for cooperation between Hong Kong and Japan, especially in financial matters.
“As an open economy with no capital restrictions and a freely convertible currency, Hong Kong provides a unique and irreplaceable testing ground for the renminbi’s liberalisation,” said Mr Leung. “Hong Kong and Tokyo are major international financial centres in Asia. Closer cooperation between us can create a win-win in promoting financial services and expanding offshore renminbi business through renminbi trade settlement, financing and asset management.”
The HKTDC serves as the secretariat for the Hong Kong-Japan Business Co-operation Committee, while Nippon Keidanren is the secretariat for the Japan-Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committee.
The two committees will hold their 33rd Plenary Session next year in Japan.
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Corporate Communication Department:
Joe Kainz
Tel: (852) 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org