Hong Kong council helps local companies expand on mainland

Companies from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland are signing new cooperation agreements at the ongoing Third China (Beijing) International Fair for Trade in Services.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has invited some 60 representatives from more than 40 local companies to seek alliances with companies on the mainland at this year's fair that opened on Wednesday.

The council, established in 1966, focuses on promoting trade in goods and services and aims to create opportunities for Hong Kong companies, particularly the small and medium-sized companies.

Most of the Hong Kong businesses at the fair are from nine sectors that include finance, logistics, design and management. The service sector in Hong Kong now generates over 90 percent of the special administrative region's GDP, according to Peter Wong, regional director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Northern China.

Hong Kong has been participating in the annual event since 2012 with the number of delegates continuing to rise.

"The matchmaking activities are one of the biggest highlights of the event," said Wong from the business lobby body. The platform for business leaders and government officials organizes seminars under the title "Hong Kong Day" at the fair to promote the financial hub of Asia.

The Beijing-based Zhongguancun Listed Companies Association is another organizer of the event this year.

The Zhongguancun association has more than 500 members from companies that are listed in China and foreign countries, with a combined asset of 1.3 trillion yuan ($208 billion).

"As an international hub in the field, Hong Kong has professionals, expertise and global vision in industries such as accounting, law, marketing, scientific innovation and patent licensing. It can meet requirements by the mainland companies in transformation, brand-building and overseas market expansion," Wong said.

Potential problems that the mainland companies may face once they go global were part of the discussions held under intellectual property issues. "Last year, we organized an IP forum with the Ministry of Culture to talk about topics related to licensing," said Li Yadong, Wong's colleague.

"This year, we cooperated with the State Council to share our latest information and experiences with the mainland companies about how to deal with overseas IP-related disputes and risks," said Li, director of the Beijing office of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Northern China.

The council continues to host a Hong Kong Pavilion at the fair.

Covering an area of 330 square meters, the pavilion features a thematic design of "Insights into Trend Setting" to highlight the role of Hong Kong as an international business platform offering high-quality professional services.

Li said the concept is the third part of a Hong Kong Pavilion design "trilogy". The other two were "Wind beneath My Wings" in 2012 and "Windows of Infinite Opportunities" last year.

It aims to show the special administrative region's strengths in finance, logistics, product design and eco-friendliness and exhibit some 20 award-winning products by local designers.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn