Hong Kong -- (ACN Newswire) -- "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong," the largest Hong Kong promotion ever to take place in Europe, will be held in Paris, 28 October, and Milan, 30 October. The promotion will showcase Hong Kong's business services advantages for French and Italian companies seeking opportunities in Asia, particularly on the Chinese mainland.
Continental Cooperation
CY Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, will speak at the opening sessions in Paris and Milan.
The two events are organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and supported by 15 Hong Kong partners. Close to 30 French organisations are behind the Paris event, while nearly 20 Italian organisations are supporting the event in Milan.
"As the global economic balance continues to shift to Asia, Hong Kong has emerged as the ideal business platform from which to tap the myriad business opportunities now available on the Chinese mainland and in the growing ASEAN community," said HKTDC Chairman Jack So.
"These events are designed to promote Hong Kong's world-class business services providers to the world," added Mr So.
Notable Speakers
More than 60 high-profile speakers will take part in the two events, showcasing Hong Kong's role as Asia's services centre and gateway to business opportunities in mainland China. They will include Laura M Cha, Chairman, Financial Services Development Council, Hong Kong; Norman T.L. Chan, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Victor Chu, Chairman, First Eastern Investment Group; Antoine Frerot, Chairman and CEO, Veolia; Benjamin Hung, Regional CEO, Greater China, Executive Director and CEO, Hong Kong, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd; Tommy Lui, Executive Director, Head of Freight Management, LF Logistics; Allen Ma, CEO, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation; Mark McCombe, Global Head of BlackRock's Institutional Client Business, Chairman of BlackRock Alternative Investors, Chairman Asia Pacific; Paul Yang, CEO, BNP Paribas Hong Kong; and Yves Zlotowski, Chief Economist, Group Economic Research Department, Coface.
China Spotlight
Think Asia, Think Hong Kong will feature morning symposiums in Paris and Milan. The symposiums will focus on Hong Kong's business advantages for French and Italian companies targeting Asia. They will also look at how mainland enterprises are expanding their international presence through Hong Kong, and what mainland companies are looking for in global partners.
Thematic Sessions
The Paris event will also feature thematic sessions in the afternoon. These will provide practical information on selling consumer brands to mainland China and throughout Asia, explore technology partnerships, examine opportunities arising from renminbi internationalisation, detail Hong Kong's role as Asia's premier asset and wealth management centre, and discuss the increasing flows of Chinese outbound investment via Hong Kong.
Multi-Sector Participation
More than 100 Hong Kong government officials and business leaders from various sectors, including technology, food and wine, and fashion, will take part in the week-long programme, which will include onsite business matching. The French and Italian campaigns are expected to attract more than 2,000 corporate leaders, government representatives, heads of small and medium-sized enterprises, services providers, academics and opinion leaders with a special interest in Asia. Services providers from Hong Kong's corporate, accounting and legal sectors will offer free business consultation to symposium participants.
Trade Ties
Trade between Hong Kong and France is strong, growing eight per cent last year, to US$11.6 billion. France has substantial investment in Hong Kong. The total stock of direct investment reached US$7.5 billion at the end of 2012. Hong Kong is home to more than 750 French companies and over 11,000 French nationals.
Economic ties between Hong Kong and Italy are also growing. In 2013, trade between the two economies was about US$9.6 billion, up five per cent, year-on-year. More than 100 Italian companies and over 800 Italian nationals are based in Hong Kong.
Website: http://www.thinkasiathinkhk.com/eu
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMIzat76Qk4
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 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 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
Contact:
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: Joe.Kainz@hktdc.org
- Published & Distributed via AsiaToday.com
