So who wants to be a billionaire? Those pioneers who invest in China's far west could be some of the 10 richest men in Hong Kong, Premier Zhu Rongji told a delegation of SAR tycoons yesterday. In a sense he was preaching to the converted. Many of them are already on that rich list - but could they get even richer as northwestern entrepreneurs?
Mr Zhu can be forgiven a little hyperbole. SAR business leaders are a risk-taking bunch, but have reservations about the Go West venture. Any undertaking of this scale requires visionary enthusiasm from the top.
The more important question is, will Hong Kong firms stump up serious cash once the hype recedes? Privately, many are sceptical and rule out any notion of putting patriotism before profits.
Still, no one should doubt Beijing's commitment to Go West. Developed properly, the region represents a huge source of wealth and natural resources.
The asymmetry of China's coastal-focused development is environmentally and socially unsustainable and Beijing knows that. What role the SAR can play is less clear.
As a financing centre it is a conduit for local and foreign capital. Specifically, that means contract building of bridges, toll roads and property developments. Hotels are an SAR speciality and investment in power utilities is likely.
