Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today arrived in Guangzhou at the beginning of a two-day visit to Guangdong.

Mr Yau first called on Guangdong Department of Commerce Director General Zhang Jinsong to discuss economic and trade co-operation, with a view to helping Guangdong enterprises go global and bring foreign enterprises and investments to the province via Hong Kong’s two-way platform.

Afterwards, Mr Yau attended a forum on innovation and spoke at a presentation ceremony for the Gold Pilot Award 2024.

In his address, Mr Yau said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will strive to fully utilise Hong Kong’s bridging role between the Mainland and the world. He said this will involve attracting more Mainland enterprises to set up international or regional headquarters in Hong Kong as the city establishes itself as a multinational supply chain management centre.

He highlighted that the Hong Kong SAR Government’s E-commerce Easy initiative provides funding support for enterprises to implement e-commerce projects that tap into the Mainland market. He also mentioned that the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will organise another Hong Kong Shopping Festival on Mainland e-commerce platforms in August to raise awareness of Hong Kong products and drive sales.

Mr Yau encouraged Hong Kong businessmen in Guangdong to contribute to national development by participating in innovation and entrepreneurship on the Mainland. He added that the latest “Agreement Concerning Amendment to the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement Agreement on Trade in Services”, which came into effect on March 1, can help Hong Kong enterprises and professionals access the Mainland market.

The commerce chief will head to Dongguan tomorrow.