Jiangxi governor wants to tap into city's urban planning and management skills Jiangxi not only wants to attract more Hong Kong capital within the framework of pan-Pearl River Delta co-operation, but also wants the city's talent to help improve management standards, says Governor Huang Zhiquan . Mr Huang admitted it would not be easy for the province to attract such people, because the quality of life and salaries are higher in Hong Kong. 'Nevertheless, we will think of ways to overcome this problem. For example, they would not have to be based here, but could come here for short spells to give talks,' Mr Huang said. His province was particularly interested in Hong Kong's urban planning and management skills and was impressed with how the airport was managed. 'We hope to absorb this experience through 9+2,' he said, referring to the pan-Pearl River Delta grouping of the nine southern mainland provinces, plus Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong is Jiangxi's leading investor from outside the mainland, having injected US$3.54 billion - or 54 per cent of total investment. Guangdong is the biggest mainland investor in the province, with a 52.7 per cent share of all mainland investment while Fujian is second with 32.9 per cent. Contracted Hong Kong investment in Jiangxi's manufacturing sector amounted to US$607 million last year, while actual investment totalled US$386 million. Jiangxi's GDP has grown at an average rate of 9.6 per cent annually since the start of reforms on the mainland, but last year economic growth skyrocketed to 13 per cent driven by strong investment inflow. As with most of the 9+2 provinces, Jiangxi is touting its abundant and cheap labour, competitive energy costs and tourism resources. But the eastern province thinks its location gives it an edge because it borders Guangdong and the Yangtze River Delta region. Mr Huang said Jiangxi could be the bridge between the Yangtze and Pearl river deltas, and link the two by improving its transportation network. The highway link between Nanchang and Shenzhen, when completed, will cut travel time to 10 hours. Most of Jiangxi's exports - valued at 2.53 billion yuan last year - go through Shanghai and Beilun . Fujian was also trying to get business for port city Xiamen , although its facilities were insufficient, Jiangxi officials said. Nanchang Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation committee director Chong Jianglin said about 50 per cent of the city's products were shipped to Shanghai, 30 per cent to Shenzhen and 20 per cent to Beilun. Nanchang has just signed an agreement with Shenzhen to speed up shipments through Yantian port.
