LI, Tao @ Hong Kong

Wang Xu (left), deputy secretary general of the Shandong Government, and Li Jianjun, director of the Information Office of the Shandong Government, speak at the press conference of the the 2010 (Hong Kong) Shandong Week in Hong Kong Friday. A series of investment and trade events will kick off on May 10, featuring over 300 major projects involving different sectors including high-tech, advanced manufacturing, environmental protection, tourism, cultural and real estate from the province. Edmond Tang / China Daily

Shandong, an economic powerhouse of Eastern China, launched a Hong Kong campaign Friday, to promote investment opportunities in various business sectors in the province, in a bid to deepen cooperation between the two regions.

Targeting Hong Kong investors, the 2010 (Hong Kong) Shandong Week will run from May 10 through May 14 in the city. Officials and business representatives from the province will promote over 300 major projects involving different sectors including high-tech, advanced manufacturing, environmental protection, tourism, culture and real estate.

Wang Xu, deputy secretary General of Shandong Provincial Government, said at a press conference for Shandong Week that the two sides have been “actively engaged” in cooperation in different fronts over the years.

He said Hong Kong has become Shandong’s biggest source of foreign investment, having overtaken South Korea in 2008.

“Hong Kong is our major foreign investor and an important trading partner, and the frequent economic and trade exchanges between the two sides have achieved remarkable results. In 2009 alone, Hong Kong businesses invested in 455 projects in the province, with total capital expenditures of about $3.86 billion. For the first quarter of this year, another 93 projects with total capital expenditure of $13.2 billion were approved,” said Wang.

Wang said contracts for over 60 major business-cooperation projects, involving $10 billion, will be signed right after the opening ceremony for Shandong Week next Monday.

A series of featured events, including investment and trade fairs, high-table conferences, food quality and safety demonstrations and promotional activities, and seminars by Hong Kong-listed Shandong enterprises will run through the 5-day campaign.

Representatives from a dozen of cities in the province will also hold various events during Shandong Week to seek investment from Hong Kong investors.

Shandong Week is jointly organized by the Shandong provincial government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and a number of business associations and local media.

China Daily

(HK Edition 05/08/2010 page3)

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2010-05/08/content_9824231.htm