Delta region to benefit from HK

By Kwong Man-ki (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-09 07:37

HONG KONG: Hong Kong will play a central role in helping to establish the Pearl River Delta as an international center for trade and commerce, executives have said.

Plans for the development of factories, services, research institutions all hinge on Hong Kong's acknowledged status in international commerce and its expertise in transportation, logistics, trade, finance and services, they said.

Closer ties are foreseen in an outline of the development plan for the Pearl River Delta for 2008-20.

The region will undergo exciting and positive changes because of its proximity to Hong Kong, the outline said.

Infrastructure projects such as bridges and transport links that are already in the pipeline will be accelerated, and new ones are expected to begin soon, it said.

Thousands of new jobs will be created and travel between Hong Kong and the delta region will be improved on a massive scale, it said.

Hong Kong's links with other global centers of commerce will be crucial for delta-based firms that require up-to-date assessments of market potential and accessibility, it said.

Hong Kong is a regular destination for international business leaders.

Many come here to exhibit new products at trade shows, so Hong Kong has become an important conduit for gathering and sharing information.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) said yesterday that dozens of events, drawing significant overseas interest, are scheduled for this year.

"Hong Kong is a portal for international companies eager to access the mainland market," Dickson Ho, the TDC's assistant chief economist, said.

"Hong Kong-based firms are recognized for their high standards of service and this means they are in frequent contact with major companies around the world, and act as a bridge to mainland businesses," he said. Stanley Lau, deputy chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, said some differences exist among factories when comparing the mainland to Hong Kong. Hong Kong works to international standards, he said.

But better integration with firms in the Delta will help to raise Hong Kong's standards to an even higher level, he said.