Zeman gives his backing to blueprint

Hong Kong entrepreneur Allan Zeman has given his endorsement to the newly released outline for the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, stating that it is the future for Hong Kong.

Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings, said the blueprint is a good beginning as it clearly takes into account the strengths of each city across the region and how they could work together.

"I am a firm believer in the Bay Area," said Zeman. "It is a great way forward for Hong Kong, seeing the city fully integrated into the whole area of southern China."

According to the document, Hong Kong has entrenched its status as an international finance, transport and trade center as well as an aviation hub.

As a businessman who has been in the trading business for 30 years, Zeman affirmed the importance of Hong Kong as an aviation hub.

"We have one of the most efficient airports in the world. Hong Kong airport can make the most of its advantages and lead the region to participate in more international trade. With the increase in the amount of flights, we could offer more products developed in the Bay Area to all around the world," Zeman said.

The city has a good reputation with its legal system, financial capability, stock market and its role as a free port. Zeman said the city is suitable to become the first stop for foreign capital interested in the Bay Area.

With the logistics building inside the airport awarded to Alibaba Group and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge nearby, the contribution the airport could make is enormous, he added.

Zeman will attend the joint seminar on Thursday held by the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao governments to discuss the details of the blueprint. He said officials from the central government will also be present and a public consultation is possible.

"There will be probably more meetings asking people from different sectors to give their recommendations," he said.

The German-born and Canada-raised businessman set up his garment trading firm in 1975, sourcing clothing from the Chinese mainland and exporting it to Canada. He renounced his Canadian citizenship and became a naturalized citizen of China in 2008.