Business leaders from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Guangdong Province Sunday (Feb 22nd) expressed willingness to enhance closer cooperation among chambers of commerce in the Greater Pearl River Delta region.

A reception held here Sunday evening attracted the leaders from100 industry and business organizations, including Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Macao and Guangdong General Chamber of Commerce.

The business leaders believed that it is very important to enhance the high-level visits among various business organizations in the region, so as to boost the closer economic and trade cooperation among the three places.

They also agreed that under the framework of the Chinese mainland-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA),they could encourage cooperation of the service sectors, business promotion under one umbrella of "Greater Pearl River Delta Region" and cooperation in the high-tech field.

It is reported that non-governmental enterprises in Guangdong have accumulated rich experience in cashing in on Hong Kong and Macao's advantages in finance, information to build up their competitiveness.

Chen Haiyan, deputy head of Guangdong General Chamber of Commerce, said that the closer links among the three places have given rise to a production and trade system under which Guangdong acts as a production base while Hong Kong as a promotion center.

Facing new challenges brought about by globalization and low level development, businessmen from the three places must enhance exchanges of visits and cooperation.

The business leaders believed that the further economic integration among the three places could benefit all sides and the regional economy would develop on a higher level.

Tsang Hin-Chi, president of Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong, said Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have been pushing ahead with manufacturing industry, logistics and financial services as well as casino industry, respectively. The three places can unify their efforts to build up one of the most vigorous economic zones in the world.

Business leaders also urged the building up of a more practical relationship among the business organizations in the three places.
 
Editor: Wing