HKETO Newsroom

June 24, 2021

SCED updates Canadian business community on Hong Kong’s latest developments and business advantages

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Mr Edward Yau, on June 23 updated the business community in Canada during a webinar on Hong Kong’s latest developments and advantages in doing business, which make the city an ideal gateway for businesses and investment in Mainland China and the Asia Pacific region for Canadian enterprises.

In his opening remarks, Mr Yau reassured participants that despite the disruption brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic, Hong Kong would rise again to the challenges with its unique advantages such as a free and open economy, the rule of law and judicial independence. Citing the World Investment Report 2021 just released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in which Hong Kong is ranked the third largest destination for foreign direct investment in 2020 globally, up from the fifth position the year before and logging US$119 billion of inward investments, he said the results demonstrate that Hong Kong remains an attractive place for investment.

He pointed out that the National People’s Congress Decision on the national security legislation has put Hong Kong back on its right track and ensured its long-term stability and prosperity. In addition, there are ample development opportunities for Hong Kong with the support of the Central Government as stated in the 14th Five-Year Plan, and illustrated during the past two years since the promulgation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Driven by a strong recovery in trade and the HKSAR Government’s continued investment, Hong Kong’s economy in the first quarter of 2021 rebounded strongly, recording year-on-year real growth of 7.9 per cent and an increase of 5.4 per cent over the preceding quarter.

Mr Yau also spoke on Hong Kong’s strategy in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that the HKSAR Government has been sparing no effort in putting the local epidemic situation under control and promoting vaccination in the community. He added that four rounds of relief measures have been progressively implemented to help businesses to stay afloat and keep workers in employment. As the epidemic situation is easing in Hong Kong, he said it is now an opportune time for Canadian enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong or expand their existing business in the city.

Hong Kong and Canada have well-established connections, spanning from business and commerce to social and cultural ties. Hong Kong was Canada’s 10th largest merchandise export market with merchandise imports from Canada to Hong Kong amounting to $11.1 billion in 2019.

As part of the 2021 Hong Kong Week programme organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO) to showcase Hong Kong’s strengths, advantages and potential to Canada, the webinar was co-organised by HKETO and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA). It was moderated by the National Chair of the HKCBA, Mr Arthur Chan, and featured a question-and-answer session in which Mr Yau exchanged views with participants on topics including the HKSAR Government’s policies and support for the business sectors, as well as the city’s anti-epidemic measures. 

June 24, 2021

商經局局長向加拿大商界介紹香港最新發展和營商優勢

香港特別行政區政府(香港特區政府)商務及經濟發展局局長邱騰華於六月二十三日出席網上研討會,向加拿大商界介紹香港的最新發展和營商優勢,推介香港是加拿大企業進入中國內地和亞太地區營商和投資的理想門戶。

邱騰華在開場發言時向與會者強調,即使香港面對2019冠狀病毒病疫情帶來的衝擊,仍能迎難而上,因為香港擁有獨特的優勢,例如自由開放的經濟、法治和司法獨立。他引述聯合國貿易和發展會議最新發表的《2021年世界投資報告》,香港是二○二○年全球第三大的外來直接投資目的地,吸引約1,190億美元的外來投資,排名較二○一九年的第五位上升,他強調報告結果反映香港依然是理想的投資地點。

他指出,全國人民代表大會就國家安全立法讓香港重回正軌,確保香港長期穩定與繁榮。中央政府在《十四五規劃綱要》中所述,以及自《粵港澳大灣區發展規劃綱要》頒布兩年以來所展示對香港的支持,亦為香港帶來很多發展機遇。

在貿易方面的強勁復蘇和香港特區政府的持續投資帶動下,香港經濟在二○二一年第一季大幅反彈,按年錄得百分之七點九的實質增長,按季亦增長百分之五點四。

邱騰華亦講述香港應對疫情的策略,強調香港特區政府一直不遺餘力控制本地疫情,以及在社區推廣疫苗接種。他表示,香港先後推出四輪紓困措施,協助企業繼續經營,保住員工的就業。隨着香港疫情緩和,現在是加拿大企業到香港發展或擴展在港業務的理想時機。

香港和加拿大在商貿、社會及文化方面均關係密切。在二○一九年,香港是加拿大第十大的商品出口市場,由加拿大入口香港的商品總值達111億元。

是次網上研討會是香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處(香港經貿處)舉行的「2021香港周」活動之一,活動旨在向加拿大展示香港的優勢和機遇。網上研討會由香港經貿處及港加商會合辦,並由港加商會全國主席陳文灝主持。邱騰華在研討會的問答環節,跟與會者就香港特區政府向商界推動的政策和支援,以及香港的抗疫措施等議題交流意見。