Hong Kong's leader has his sights set on economic development in mainland China, but promised today in a speech to business leaders that he wouldn't turn a blind eye to international markets.
Leung Chun-ying told more than 1,000 people at a lunch hosted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce that mainland China holds great potential for Hong Kong's economic development, and outlined measures the government is taking to strengthen business ties there.
Hong Kong, for example, is looking to set up more trade and liaison offices throughout China and there is a new working group to help certain sectors gain better access to the market. Help will be especially targeted at small and medium-sized businesses. Hong Kong's border is next to China's Guangdong province and efforts are also being heavily concentrated on deepening business relations there.
Canada and Hong Kong signed a double taxation agreement when Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with Leung while visiting Hong Kong in November.
Leung told the audience that he is concentrating his efforts in the coming months on meeting with officials in mainland China, particularly members of the new administration there, but later in the year he expects to make at least two "long-haul" trips abroad. He will announce the destinations once the host countries have confirmed the details, he said.
David Nesbitt, executive director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, said after listening to Leung's speech that the leader wasn't specific enough on how he plans to strengthen those ties.
"His approach was to emphasize a very, very pro-business, pro-Hong Kong address and the entire presentation was to show we're open for business, and the government is willing to listen. There were not many specifics for us to focus on," said Nesbitt.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong is one of the largest chambers outside of Canada with more than 1,200 members. More than 180 Canadian companies are in Hong Kong and after Japan, it is Canada's second choice in Asia for foreign direct investment.
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