The first Hong Kong-Shanghai joint investment promotion seminar, staged in Tokyo, has attracted more than 380 senior executives from top Japanese firms who have shown strong interest in establishing or expanding business in thecities.

A press release of the information office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Tuesday said the seminar looks at business opportunities and market potential for Japanese companies in China, particularly in the Greater Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta.

Director-General of Hong Kong Investment Promotion Mike Rowse said he was pleased with the overwhelming response from investors, adding the seminar has set the stage for future co-operation between the two cites.

Rowse said combining with the delta has helped Hong Kong becomea leading center for management, information, co-ordination, finance and professional services.

"That is why so many foreign investors, including many large and small and medium-sized companies from Japan, have found it very attractive to perform these service activities in Hong Kong while placing their manufacturing facilities and some sales operations in the Pearl River Delta," Rowse said.

He also introduced the numerous opportunities arising from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).

"We understand that many Japanese companies with a presence in Hong Kong are enjoying the 'first mover' and 'WTO-plus' advantages in a wide range of trade and services sectors under CEPA. We encourage more Japanese companies to consider investing or expanding their operations in Hong Kong, and to use our city as the gateway to southern China," Rowse said.

Source: Xinhua