Hong Kong and Britain launched an initiative in London Wednesday to develop partnerships among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

According to a press release from Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) Wednesday, the newly launched "Hong Kong-Britain Business Partnership" offers practical information and support to SMEs in the UK and Hong Kong through a program of sector-specific business development activities.

Initially, the focus of the bilateral partnership is on opportunities for the creative industries and electronics sectors important to both Britain and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is the focus for British companies this week with a series of high-profile events in London.

Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang is heading a HK business delegation to attend the Hong Kong-Guangdong Business Seminar in London and some other trade promotion activities.

The partnership brings together the services of British Trade and Investment and TDC to maximize assistance to companies in their respective markets.

British Minister for Construction, Small Business and Enterprise Nigel Griffiths, said that Britain sees Hong Kong as one of the great economic success stories from which to learn, particularly as it forms great links with the Chinese mainland.

TDC Chairman Peter Woo said the new partnership connects companies business-to-business, sector-to-sector and region-to-region.