Hong Kong companies have snapped up deals worth at least HK$2 billion in the central mainland during the biggest trade show in the region, Expo Central China.
The investments span hospitality, property development, toll roads and logistics services as central region cities compete for foreign capital for economic growth.
Developer Kerry Group and its hotel unit Shangri-La Asia planned to spend US$140 million building a hotel and commercial complex in Nanchang in Jiangxi province.
Polytec Group - an investment arm of property developer Kowloon Development chairman Or Wai-shuen - will build a 95km toll road in Wuhan linking Lake Honghu and Jianli after winning the contract with a bid of HK$750 million.
Port operator China Infrastructure Group will spend HK$200 million setting up a logistics centre in Wuhan in Hubei, while Bank of East Asia will become the first foreign bank in Hefei in Anhui province, with a branch opening in August.
China Infrastructure chairman Edward Chow Kwong-fai said the group was attracted to growing demand for supply chain services as the central mainland economy took off.
'Wuhan's economic growth of 15 per cent last year and the central government's supportive policies mean strong growth potential,' he said. 'Extra demand will also come from relocation of factories from Guangdong.'