Providing more legal services and support can be a feasible path to attract more law firms and lawyers from Macao to practice in Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, according to the statistics released by Hengqin authority.
As of August 31 this year, Hengqin has housed 22 law firms with 332 lawyers, including 47 lawyers from Hong Kong and Macao. Since the establishment, the number of law firms and lawyers of the zone has increased by 100 percent and 49.5 percent respectively, among which the number of lawyers from Macao has increased by 65 percent.
Over the past several years, Hengqin has always striven to create a law-based business environment. It has introduced 12 sets of rules to align with Macao’s rules to protect the rights and interests of Macao’s residents to live and work in Hengqin.
The zone has also established a legal cluster and now has agglomerated 9 legal institutes settled down in the zone. Covering an area of 13,800 square meters, the cluster has been officially put into operation since June 2 this year, providing one-stop public legal services such as mediation, arbitration and notarization for Macao-funded enterprises and Macao residents in the zone.
Currently, the authority is offering preferential income tax policies for both enterprises and individuals. Enterprises that settle their production and operation, personnel, finance and property in the Cooperation Zone can enjoy 15% preferential tax relief. Qualified high-end and in-demand talent can also enjoy 15% personal income tax relief in the zone.
Reporter | Nancy Ye
Editors | Olivia, Nan, Will, Jerry
Photos provided to GDToday
