Our trip to Shenzhen Futian and Qianhai on 24 October provided an incredible opportunity for members interested in learning more about the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and starting a business there.
Led by Angela Lee, Chairman of the Small & Medium Enterprises Committee, the day began with a visit to the GoGBA Business Support Centre at the Futian high-speed railway station. The facility is the China’s first business support centre located in a high-speed rail station, allowing Hong Kong businesses to receive advice and support as soon as they set foot in Shenzhen.
Among offerings such as economic and trade insights, policy updates and practical tools, the centre accommodates a range of conference facilities, providing comprehensive support for Hong Kong enterprises to start and expand business in the region.
Tina Wei, Consultant of GoGBA Business Support Centre (Futian), shared helpful information on setting up a business in the Mainland, including company registration procedures, entrepreneurship funding schemes, and tax incentives. The centre also holds regular exchange activities to help Hong Kong businesses better understand local policies and connect with Mainland counterparts.
In Qianhai, delegates toured key sites including the Qianhai Exhibition Hall and International Talent Hub. At the Qianhai Exhibition Hall, members learned how Qianhai developed from a desolate outpost into the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone. The Qianhai International Talent Hub, a one-stop service platform for talent from around the world, covers services such as business registration, taxation and social security.
The trip concluded with a symposium where members engaged with officials from the Qianhai Authority on topics such as the development of cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Officials also explained industry-specific support measures and preferential policies for enterprises setting up operations in the district, including subsidies and other support for businesses moving their headquarters there, to encourage companies to expand their presence in Qianhai.
Lee said the trip was fruitful and insightful for members, who gained practical advice on the procedures and precautions of starting a business in Futian and Qianhai.
“We also learnt about the one-stop services provided by the Mainland authorities, from business registration to application for subsidies,” she said. “I believe the mission can help boost members’ confidence in venturing into the Mainland market.”