The “GBA Global Conference 2021 – Seize the Opportunities Brought about by the Qianhai and Hengqin Plans” was held successfully on 8 November on online and offline channels. The event sought to support the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and leverage the synergy of the departments of commerce in the three regions in terms of attracting investments and promoting the area, while expanding the channels for introducing investments. Nearly 120 government officials and enterprises’ representatives attended the conference.
The conference, jointly organised by the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, the InvestHK of the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), was held simultaneously with the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the hope of inviting enterprises and representatives in the political and business circles from across the world to learn more about the business advantages of the Greater Bay Area.
Jointly constructing the Greater Bay Area to seize opportunities of the new era
Liu Yajun, Deputy Director-general of Economic Affairs Department and Head of the Commercial Office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, said that the economic aggregate of the Greater Bay Area exceeded RMB 11 trillion in 2020, accounting for around 12% of that of the entire country with just 0.6% of the territory. In September this year, the Central Government launched the “Plan for Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Opening Up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone” and the “Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Co-operation Zone in Hengqin”, which symbolised the start of a new chapter of the Greater Bay Area’s construction. In the future, it will accelerate the development of the country’s “dual economic circulation” and become a stronger booster for the regional and international economic collaboration. He also expressed his hope that more attention and support will be given to the Greater Bay Area, more sectors will be involved in the construction of the Greater Bay Area so that more people can seize the opportunities arising from the new era.
Grasping the opportunities brought by the Greater Bay Area and Hengqin Intensive Co-operation Zone for the win-win situation
Xu Hongri, Chief of the Promotion Division of the Trade office of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR, said that the “Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Co-operation Zone in Hengqin” has stimulated the diversified development of Macao’s economy with new momentum, new possibilities and opportunities. More importantly, the Master Plan offers a new mechanism for discussion, collaborative construction, management and sharing, which greatly helps overcome the difficulties and inconvenience arising from the different social and legal systems adopted by the two regions – which are also two different customs territories. The improved market interconnection between Guangdong and Macao is expected to enhance the productivity, effectiveness and convenience of the markets. Both foreign and domestic sectors can also grasp the opportunities to achieve prosperity together.
Diverse activities held to further promote latest GBA information
During the conference, Ye Hua, a second-tier inspector of the Commerce of Guangdong Province; Chiang Hok Lai, Associate Director-general of Investment Promotion of the Hong Kong SAR; and Vincent U, Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, shared information with the attendees about the business environment and investment advantages of the respective regions.
Deputy Director-General of the Supervision Bureau of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone Yuan Fuyong and Acting Director-General of the Economic Development Office of the Executive Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Co-operation Zone in Hengqin Antonio Lei, introduced the “Plan for Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Opening Up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone” and the “Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Co-operation Zone in Hengqin”, respectively.
Two entrepreneurs from Qianhai and Hengqin shared their investment experience and the insights they gained therefrom, which was also broadcasted on live streaming platform.
Enterprises exploring new development by seizing opportunities
A representative of a participating company from Scandinavia said that the conference allowed them to learn more about the functions and roles Macao plays in the Greater Bay Area and the Intensive Co-operation Zone in Hengqin, and gain an overall understanding of the latest business information of the three regions, which helped them in making plans for their company’s future development. In the meantime, the company was intended to carry out promotion campaign in Macao to enhance their brand’s influence in the Asia Pacific region, and grow their businesses via Macao’s China-PSCs platform.
Since 2012, the governments of Guangdong province, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR have joined hands to organise conferences to introduce the advantages of the investment environment and give the latest information on economic and trade development of the three regions, aiming to help enterprises seize the business opportunities brought by the Greater Bay Area through strengthening promotional work with joint efforts.
During the conference, the relevant agencies and participants strictly followed and co-operated with the relevant anti-pandemic guidelines and measures as directed by the local health departments.
