Press Releases > 2015 > March 3
Year of the Ram continues to offer diverse business opportunities in Hong Kong for New Zealand
The Year of the Ram would provide huge opportunities in Hong Kong for companies and people in New Zealand, said the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO), Mr Arthur Au, at the Chinese New Year reception in Wellington on March 3.More than 100 business, community and political leaders attended the reception.
Speaking to the guests, Mr Au said that under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong continued to maintain a free market economy, a simple and low tax regime, an independent judiciary, free flow of capital and freedom of speech and assembly. These unique advantages, together with its close economic and trade relationship with Mainland China, underpinned the success of Hong Kong.
“We will continue to seize every opportunity to improve Hong Kong’s position as the premier gateway to Mainland China, including making investments in infrastructure to enhance its connectivity,” said Mr Au.
“We will also take a more proactive approach to recruiting overseas talents and professionals from outside Hong Kong, such as introduction of a pilot scheme to attract the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who have emigrated overseas to work in Hong Kong.”
He noted that the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect had been launched last November, allowing investors all over the world to invest in the Shanghai Stock Exchange through the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and vice versa.
“Discussion on similar connection with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange has started,” he added.
"On March 1, a new agreement for basic liberalisation for trade in services between Hong Kong and Guangdong came into effect, opening up over 95 per cent of services trade subsectors in Guangdong to the Hong Kong services industry. All these will provide greater business opportunities for companies and people in New Zealand."
“Hong Kong and New Zealand have all along enjoyed close bilateral relationship. There are 15 bilateral agreements between Hong Kong and New Zealand, including the New Zealand-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Agreement which is Hong Kong’s first Free Trade Agreement,” said Mr Au.
He was confident that Hong Kong and New Zealand would continue to work ever closer in the years to come.
The HKETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Australia Business Association and the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association are jointly hosting Chinese New Year receptions in major cities of Australia and New Zealand between February 24 and March 11 to celebrate the Year of the Ram. The HKETO is taking the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong's artistic talents to guests at the receptions.
03.03.2015
