Fair trade: Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Prof KC Chan tours the Hong Kong Exhibition at the Western Fair in Chengdu.

Hong Kong is a mature services economy which can help enterprises in the Mainland's western region develop in overseas markets, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Prof KC Chan says.

Meeting Sichuan Communist Party Deputy Secretary Li Chongxi in Chengdu today Prof Chan said the abundant natural resources together with the lower cost of production in the region, particularly Sichuan, are extremely attractive to Hong Kong investors.

He highlighted Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international financial centre and encouraged Mainland enterprises to use the city's listing platform to raise capital, financing and enter international financial markets.

Prof Chan today also attended the opening ceremony of the 10th Western China International Economy & Trade Fair and toured the Hong Kong Exhibition at the fair staged by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Chengdu.

He also called on provincial and municipal government leaders to foster closer financial and business ties between Sichuan and Hong Kong.