Chamber mission to Sichuan and Chongqing
explores business opportunities in western China

By Eva Chow

Chamber Director Dr Eden Woon led a 15-member delegation to Sichuan and Chongqing in western China on Oct. 18-22. The mission was part of the Chamber's ongoing efforts to help cultivate partnerships between businesses in Hong Kong and western China, in light of the high priority given by the Central Government to develop the region.

Delegates were warmly welcomed by officials, including Chongqing Party Secretary He Guoqiang, Chongqing Vice Mayor Chen Jiwa, Sichuan Deputy Governor Li Dachang, and Chengdu Deputy Party Secretary Huang Zhongyin.

During the mission, delegates visited high technology development zones in Chengdu and Chongqing, and officials from the Commission of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade briefed them on economic developments in the area. Delegates also met local businessmen, including one of China's most successful private entrepreneurs Liu Yonghao, who is chairman of the New Hope Group. They also visited Kimberly Clark's factory in Chengdu. Dr Woon and several delegates also attended the "Western Forum of China" held in Chengdu on Oct. 21.

Commenting on the mission upon returning to Hong Kong, Dr Woon said, "China will enter the World Trade Organisation soon. Businesses in Hong Kong are eyeing the economic development in Mainland China, of which the development in the west is the current focus. The successful organisation of the ?estern Forum of China' signified the beginning of a new stage of development. Judging from the numbers of attendees at the forum, opportunities in the west are being noticed by the international community. A key message being delivered at the forum was that the successful development of western China depends very much on the ?oft' investment environment and the attitude of people."

OPPORTUNITIES
Both Chongqing and Chengdu are rich in scientific and technological talent, which is being utilised to nurture new projects developed by incubatees in technology development zones. These new high-tech companies are a valuable resource that China and Hong Kong can tap to assist their transformation into the new economy. These companies are in need of the "soft" international skills which Hong Kong is strong in -- management, accounting, legal affairs ... public relations -- to increase their competitiveness.