The Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into a premier intellectual property trading hub, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Gregory So said during a roundtable discussion on intellectual property trading organised by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Berlin, yesterday.
"Hong Kong today is flourishing as a trading hub and super-connector between the Mainland and the rest of the world. With our sound financial and legal systems, low tax regime and world-class service industries, Hong Kong is well poised to embrace the immense business opportunities brought about by IP.
"Over the years, we have accumulated much experience in cross-border IP transactions, and have become a regional marketplace and service centre for activities ranging from copyright trading, licensing and franchising to design services and technology transfer," he said.
Mr So also spoke at a gala dinner the same evening, saying that Hong Kong offers German companies the fastest and most efficient route to the Mainland's huge business opportunities due to Hong Kong's free-trade experience and global connections.
German firms incorporated in Hong Kong can also take advantage of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement signed between Hong Kong and the Mainland to gain tariff-free entry into the Mainland market for goods produced in Hong Kong, and enjoy preferential treatment in accessing the Mainland's services sector, he added.
Mr So also said Hong Kong is poised to benefit from the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives for organising multinational economic development which will also create new business and new opportunities for German companies with investment and operations in Hong.
He will visit the Adlershof high-tech park project in Berlin, a German company which develops solutions for affordable charging infrastructure, and attend a business lunch today.
