The Zhitong Finance App learned that on October 13, at a promotion conference to accompany mainland enterprises to the global market in Nanjing, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Chen Maobo said that cooperation between the Soviet Union and Hong Kong has deep roots in many fields and there is plenty of room for development. As a springboard to going international, Hong Kong can support the long-term development of enterprises and work together to help enterprises go global.
He said that Hong Kong is not only the largest source of foreign investment in Jiangsu, but also the largest overseas investment destination. As of the end of September this year, 129 Jiangsu companies had been listed in Hong Kong, with a market value of about HK$1.44 trillion.
Hong Kong can provide an important platform for enterprises to connect with international capital. However, the value of Hong Kong goes beyond listing; it also lies in the high concentration of financial institutions, investors, and professionals. Of the 100 largest banks in the world, more than 70 have operations in Hong Kong. When companies come to Hong Kong, they can connect with international financial networks to find capital and partners for different stages of business development.
At the same time, Hong Kong's international environment helps attract domestic surgeons, engineers and management talents to form a global team. In order to further connect talents, scientific research and industry, the SAR government is promoting the construction of the northern metropolitan area, including developing a university city, promoting the convergence of high-quality education and scientific research resources in Hong Kong, the mainland and overseas, and promoting the collaborative development of education, science, technology, talents and industry.
He said that taking healthcare and biotechnology as an example, he hopes to make full use of the advantages of close ties between Hong Kong and mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promote scientific research cooperation, clinical research and industry connections, help enterprises connect more effectively with mainland and international markets, and shorten the distance from laboratories to products, and from research to application.
Chen Maobo also pointed out that in order for an enterprise to go global, it is necessary not only to expand overseas markets, but also to consolidate its roots in the mainland. Hong Kong's unique value is what links these two aspects. Hong Kong International Airport has about 1,000 flights up and down every day, connecting all parts of the world. From Hong Kong, it is possible to cover an area where about half of the world's population is located within a five-hour flight range. This geographical and transportation advantage helps companies use Hong Kong as a base to connect with customers and partners in different markets.
Furthermore, Hong Kong is also promoting preferential policy packages to promote industry and investment, covering land arrangements, financial support and tax incentives, to create conditions for enterprises to land and develop.
Hong Kong has always followed a simple low tax system. The general profit tax rates for corporate and unincorporated businesses are 16.5% and 15%, respectively. On this basis, the Hong Kong Government proposes to support the development of key industries through preferential policy packages to provide eligible enterprises with a preferential tax rate of half tax or 5%.
He expressed the hope that enterprises will bring technology, talents and ideas, and that Hong Kong will provide capital, international networks and development platforms, and that the two sides will work together to transform innovation into industry and opportunities into results.