Hong Kong looks forward to promoting development and enhancing cooperation between the Chinese Entrepreneurs Association and ASEAN
(17 September 2017)
Takungpao – The 14th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) was organised on 16th September in Yangon, Myanmar with the participation of more than 3,000 Chinese entrepreneurs, aiming at discussing new opportunities for development and cooperation. Invited by the Hong Kong Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the Convention as the Guest of Honor. She delivered a keynote speech at the Opening Ceremony, stating that WCEC has become a very important and meaningful event to the Chinese entrepreneurs around the world.
Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, Mrs Carrie Lam (left); Chief Minister of Yangon, Myanmar, Mr Phyo Min Thein (middle) and Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi (right) at the 14th WCEC
WCEC is organized every two years, attracting thousands of businessmen, building a large and close-knit global network of Chinese businessmen.
Mrs Carrie Lam shared that, Hong Kong will cooperate with ASEAN through signing a Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement regarding the trading of goods and services, financial support, science and technology exchanges together with dispute resolution. “ASEAN is a very important market to Hong Kong, functioning as the Hong Kong’s second largest economic partner as well as the fourth largest trading partner”. Mrs Lam also expressed her confidence that “Within the framework of the cooperative Agreements, the economic and investment relationship between Hong Kong and Myanmar will be closer.”
Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, in his speech, highly appreciated Mrs Carrie Lam’s contribution to boosting the Hong Kong’s economy and business environment as well as her non-stop efforts to improve the social welfare and encourage the cooperation and economic exchange between Hong Kong and ASEAN. Dr Jonathan Choi emphasized that it was an honor for the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce to invite Mrs Carrie Lam to attend the 14th WCEC as a keynote speaker.
Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi delivered speech at the Convention
Moreover, the 14th WCEC was attended by a number of guests of honor, including Mr Myint Swe, the First Vice President of Myanmar; Mr Wu Ji Yuan, Chairman of the Myanmar Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the 14th WCEC; Mr Xu You Sheng, Member of the Communist Party of China and Deputy Director of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of the People Republic of China; Mr Wang Qin Min, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr Zaw Min Win, Chairman of the Myanmar Industry and Trade Association and Mr Chen Zhen Zhi, Member of WCEC and Chairman of the Thailand Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi (second from left) and Mrs Janice Choi (right); Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, Mrs Carrie Lam (second from right) and Chairman of the Myanmar Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the 14th WCEC, Mr Wu Ji Yuan (left)
Hong Kong can play the C.I.O role in uncovering new business opportunities
Being a member of WCEC and Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi delivered a speech at the Convention, in which he pointed out the C.I.O role of Hong Kong in cooperation with Chinese enterprises to develop domestic and ASEAN markets. Dr Jonathan Choi explained, “C” means Connector, “I” stands for Investor and “O” is short for Operator, “Hong Kong should utilize its unique advantages in promoting the cooperation between domestic enterprises and those from ASEAN as well as other regions. Specifically, Hong Kong can play the role of connecting all relating parties, investing and promoting cooperation for mutual development”, Dr Jonathan Choi said.
Dr Jonathan Choi shared that Hong Kong is the international financial center as well as a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Therefore, through a number of different forms of financial services, Hong Kong can provide financial support to enterprises and mobilize funds for infrastructure projects under the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative. Moreover, Hong Kong is also developing a global communication network to support enterprises around the world including Chinese enterprises participating in the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative. Hong Kong is certainly an important bridge in the exploring of investment and development opportunities between ASEAN and Chinese enterprises.
Some statistics show that, the commercial network of Hong Kong enterprises spreads around the globe. In 2016, Hong Kong ranked the 2nd and 3rd highest FDI inflow and outflow economy in Asia with total foreign investment up to 170 billion USD. At present, there are more than 8,000 local and foreign companies with headquarters or representative offices in Hong Kong. Dr Jonathan Choi emphasized, “This number reflects the significance of Hong Kong to both regional and international investors.”
Dr Jonathan Choi led a delegation of 40 entrepreneurs attending the 14th WCEC in Yangon, Myanmar
Dr Jonathan Choi also said that the Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN is expected to be signed by the end of 2017, which will facilitate the management and operation of many projects in different sectors of both sides as well as open up new commercial opportunities between the bay area “One Belt, One Road” and ASEAN.
Translated from: Takungpao
