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A Busier Autumn than Ever
for the Chamber

From the middle of March until the middle of June this year, SARS forced the postponement of many Chamber events that involved either outside speakers or attendees, or trips, or large gatherings, which were not appropriate at that time.

Many of them were pushed to this fall, and in addition to normally scheduled fall Chamber events and the signing of CEPA, the last four months of 2003 are the busiest in recent Chamber memory. Let me just preview some of the highlights for you so that you can make plans to participate:

Conferences

The annual venture capital conference that we do with the Hong Kong Venture Capital Association, this year on September 22, is the only such conference here aimed for the users -- SMEs and CEOs who need funding -- of venture capital. On October 17 we have the second Pearl River Delta conference that we do with the SCMP. With CEPA creating a new business thinking, with SARS fresh on people's minds, with Central, Guangdong, and Hong Kong governments all acting with renewed energy, there is a new relationship within the Pearl River Delta which will be examined by this conference. On December 10, we have our annual Business Summit -- the tenth anniversary this year -- which will examine 2004 in the context of the first year of CEPA implementation.

Missions

Roundtables and Seminars

The Chamber, who raised the idea of CEPA almost four years ago, continues to be at the forefront of lobbying and education on CEPA, and our members may be able to benefit immensely from CEPA if they understand the provisions correctly. And we are trying to provide that understanding through these workshops. We also expect many foreign and Mainland delegations will come here to meet with members on CEPA opportunities. Speaking of CEPA, look for a major CEPA comprehensive report to be published by the Chamber in the fall to help members understand how to take advantage of CEPA. And our China team will continue, as it has since early July, to answer members who call in with questions on CEPA.

Distinguished Speakers Series

And of course, all of the above are in addition to our usual luncheons, committee meetings, economic analysis and forecasts, and lobbying efforts with the media and government. Since some political issues may also impact the business environment, we will be keeping a close eye on those developments also this fall for our members. All in all, this fall, as our staff works at a frantic pace to provide all these services and events for our members, we hope you will take advantage of them.

Eden Woon
CEO
HKGCC