Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen repeatedly suggested Hunan companies list on the Hong Kong stock market as he ended a three-day tour to Changsha in Hunan province yesterday.
He said although it was too soon to say whether the trip - on which he headed a 100-member delegation of businessmen and professionals from Hong Kong - had achieved any results, he knew some delegates had already found potential business partners in Hunan.
He also believed the delegation had gained a better understanding of central China. Mr Tsang and the delegates returned last night.
They visited leading construction vehicle manufacturer Sany Heavy Industry yesterday, where Mr Tsang asked chairman Liang Wengen whether he would raise funds and list in Hong Kong.
One-third of cement trucks in Hong Kong are made by Sany, and the company's truck-mounted concrete pump was used during construction of Two IFC in Central.
'We are already listed on the Shanghai stock market but we're interested in [listing in Hong Kong],' Mr Liang said. 'In fact, we're dealing with some paperwork now.'
Earlier yesterday, Mr Tsang visited Broad Air Conditioning and asked chairman Zhang Yue whether he too would raise funds and list on the Hong Kong stock market.