Hong Kong and Guangdong will jointly organise seminars in Seoul on October 23 and in Tokyo on October 30 to woo investors.

The seminars, the first organised by both cities at the provincial level, will also update Seoul and Tokyo firms on our latest economic developments and investment environment.

The Seoul Seminar is expected to draw 400 to 500 participants while the Tokyo one will bring 800 to 1,000.

Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang will lead the team to Seoul, while Financial Secretary Henry Tang will head the delegation to Tokyo. Both will be keynote speakers at the seminars.

Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua will lead the Guangdong delegation to both cities.

Seminar highlights include:

* business opportunities in the greater Pearl River Delta area;

* strengthening economic and trade links with South Korea and Japan; and,

* CEPA and its implications for Hong Kong and overseas companies.

Companies will be briefed on how they can benefit from CEPA and gain greater access to the Mainland market. Case studies of companies preparing themselves for the new opportunities under CEPA will also be presented.

InvestHK Director-General of Investment Promotion Mike Rowse said our infrastructure, business and cultural links with the Mainland are like nowhere else and the signing of CEPA has made us even more attractive.

"If you want to combine an international business environment with immediate access to the Mainland, there simply isn't any match for Hong Kong. We also have the institutions, system, regulatory environment and people that will provide investors with all they need to be successful in China and the region," he said.

"As a result, many international companies perform their management, finance, information, co-ordination and logistics activities in Hong Kong, while overseeing their low-cost manufacturing facilities and sales operations in the Pearl River Delta."

HK Trade Development Council (Japan) Director Ralph Chow said Japanese companies have shown great interest in CEPA.