British industry in Hong Kong quickest off the mark to launch business network in Greater Bay Area, which aims to rival Silicon Valley, with peers from Macau, Guangdong and other parts of China
- Business link-up plan is believed to be first of its type launching in the huge southern China development zone, which covers US$1.5 trillion economy
- British Chamber of Commerce says the trade drive would be happening even without Brexit
British business associations have formed an international network in the Greater Bay Area to maximise the opportunities arising from the national development plan to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and nine Guangdong cities to rival Silicon Valley.
The platform, which appeared to be the first among major Western countries in the development zone, was announced by the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
The chamber said in a statement that they, together with the chambers in Guangdong and Macau, the China-Britain Business Council, and the Confederation of British Industry Beijing Office, held a meeting in Shenzhen and agreed to form an inter-organisation working group on the GBA initiative.
“The GBA Initiative is a major opportunity for Hong Kong, our Chamber, and our members,” Peter Burnett, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong said.
“By connecting further with our colleagues in the mainland and Macau we will develop a deeper understanding of the opportunities that the GBA presents for our member companies and the business community at large.”
Andrew Seaton, the executive director of the chamber, told the Post he believed they have been the first to set up an international network across the bay area, saying: “I think we moved very quickly on this and that reflected the deep interest among British Chamber’s members of companies here in Hong Kong.”
Opportunities in fields including construction, engineering, financial services, transport and health care would be ahead for British companies in the city, Seaton said.
