Related Special:  Guangdong and CEPA  >>>

While the China Hi-Tech Fair attracts thousands of people drifting among the high-tech displays, a CEPA and Shenzhen CBD forum was held at Wuzhou Guesthouse Tuesday afternoon (October 14th).

Sponsored by the Futian District Government, the forum featured speeches by some financial specialists at home and abroad, giving their impressions of the impacts brought by CEPA.

Xu Chongguang, general designer of Shenzhen's land resource department, said that CEPA brings Shenzhen CBD (Central Business District) a new opportunity. As early as 1986, the Shenzhen government had mapped out the CBD in Futian District, taking the lead throughout the country in systematically designing the CBD.

However, Xu said that, since developers had paid too much attention to housing over the past decade, the CBD lacks well-designed office buildings. "Shenzhen and Hong Kong have privileged cooperative conditions in high-tech, logistics and tourism," he said. "Shenzhen should intensify its function in finance, exhibition and consultation services."

Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd. president Dr. Chen Wei's address focused on cooperation between capital companies and small and medium companies. "Shenzhen is the most vibrant place for startup investment nationwide," he said. "CEPA will serve as a platform for Hong Hong investment entering the mainland market while the free tariff policy will promote competition between Hong Kong and the mainland." Chen also said small and medium-sized companies on the mainland could use the free port edge of Hong Kong to launch their products on the world market.

Dr. Frank Gong, general manager of the Bank of America, said that, under the CEPA, Shenzhen could make Hong Kong a mutually complementary financial center.

"Shenzhen used to be a window and gateway for the mainland to invite foreign investment in, but now it needs to walk out," he said.

"China should have more of our own brand names and technologies, not just 'made in China' manufacturers with low added values."
 
Editor: Catherine