Hong Kong is set to scale up its presence at the 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade to leverage the national platform for more two-way investment with the Chinese mainland, and explore opportunities in overseas markets.
“We’ll capitalize on CIFIT – a national-level platform dedicated to investment promotion – by focusing on this year’s key themes, including artificial intelligence, the low-altitude economy, green and low-carbon development, cross-border finance, and Belt and Road-related investment,” said Jim Zeng, associate director of international and mainland relations at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
“This will foster cooperation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chinese mainland in two-way investment and financing, as well as in areas like innovation and technology industries,” he told a CIFIT promotion symposium on Wednesday.
The CIFIT is an annual exhibition hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, serving as one of the country’s critical events for two-way investment promotion, and a platform for the release of authoritative information, and discussions on investment trends.
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This year’s fair, set to be held from Sept 8 to 11 in Xiamen, Fujian province, will expand its exhibition area to 200,000 square meters – nearly 70 percent larger than the previous edition – according to the organizing committee. It will feature multiple themed pavilions and a range of activities, including policy releases, seminars, and business match-making, the committee says.
Zeng said the HKTDC will organize Hong Kong-based university spin-offs, companies, and investment institutions to take part in the fair, facilitating targeted business matching and in-depth exchanges with mainland counterparts to deepen cooperation.
Highlighting the HKSAR’s role as a significant gateway for mainland enterprises tapping into overseas markets, he said the city will again set up a pavilion at CIFIT under the theme of connecting the world via Hong Kong, and collaborate with the Fujian authorities in hosting various activities.
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Loretta Lee Shuk-ching – associate director-general of investment promotion at Invest Hong Kong – said at the promotion symposium that the HKSAR government’s GoGlobal Task Force plans to organize sessions at CIFIT to share policy insights and case studies on using the SAR as a springboard for global expansion.
The taskforce is a dedicated team aimed at providing a one-stop platform that leverages Hong Kong’s international connectivity and global networks to deliver tailored solutions for mainland enterprises seeking to strengthen their global footholds.
“As the preferred homeport for Chinese mainland enterprises looking to expand overseas, Hong Kong is ready to provide comprehensive supporting services,” Lee said.
Structured around three core sections – “Invest in China”, “International Investment”, and “Chinese Investment” – this year’s CIFIT event is expected to attract tens of thousands of exhibitors and visitors, including official delegations and business groups, from across the world.
International exchange activities will be upgraded, with Finland, this year’s guest country of honor, hosting a series of industry matchmaking events.
Additional business promotional activities focusing areas like the BRICS countries, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, are also scheduled.
Contact the writer at gabylin@chinadailyhk.com
