ANSON Chan, chief secretary, is urging American companies to use Hong Kong as a springboard into the Asia/Pacific region.
Mrs Chan, who has been the keynote speaker at business seminars in New York, Chicago and Atlanta, is leading a delegation of business and government leaders from the territory.
She said that in the 10 years since the Sino-British Joint Declaration was initialled the territory's per capita income has more than trebled to US$20,000.
American audiences at the Trade Development Council seminars have been told within six years Asia is expected to have more than 400 million middle-class consumers and will account for 40 per cent of world trade.
During this period, the region's total capital needs will be around US$1 trillion. China alone is expected to spend US$233 billion on power, transportation and telecommunications.
Over 10 years, the Asia/Pacific region could produce up to US$1.3 trillion more in annual savings, audiences were told.