Director-General of Investment Promotion Simon Galpin has urged Beijing enterprises to build their brands and access global markets through Hong Kong on Nov 5.

Galpin made the remarks at a seminar during the 16th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Simon Galpin, Director-General of Investment Promotion,? gives opening remarks at the "Go Global: Beijing Hong Kong Bilateral Investment, National Service Industry Integrated Reform Pilot Promotion Presentation" seminar to encourage Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as the platform to "go global", Nov 5, 2012. [Photo/InvestHK]

Entitled "Go Global: Beijing-Hong Kong Bilateral Investment, National Service Industry Integrated Reform Pilot Promotion Presentation", the seminar was organised by the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, InvestHK, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and the People's Government of Shijingshan District, Beijing.

Elaborating on Hong Kong's enduring business advantages, Galpin said, "Economic co-operation between Hong Kong and Beijing has been growing. Hong Kong, given its status as an international business hub, offers a range of advantages including marketing, free flow of capital and information, a diversified talent pool, excellent services, strong rule of law and a low tax regime. Our city is the perfect starting point for Beijing enterprises to 'go global'."

In the ensuing panel discussion themed "Beijing-Hong Kong Bilateral Investment Presentation", the Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Victoria Tang, said, "In the process of fast national economic development, as an international financial, trade and shipping centre, Hong Kong has always been active in regional and international economic affairs. Mainland enterprises, whilst seeking to lift their competitiveness and look to overseas for growth and investment, are encouraged to make use of Hong Kong's strengths in the service industry on financing, legal, accounting, insurance, brand marketing in their international expansion."

This seminar was included as one of several branch seminars during the 16th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium. The seminar also featured a second panel discussion on the National Service Industry Integrated Reform Pilot Promotion, plus an interactive discussion session with the audience.

InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong.