Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology of Hong Kong Henry Tang visits Finland
Mr. Henry Tang, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology of the HKSAR, arrived for a two-day visit in Helsinki on 13 March. The visit is part of his European tour, and the invitation to Helsinki had been extended by the Minister for Foreign Trade, Mr Jari Vilén.
During their talks, minister Vilén received an update on the latest developments in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region. Highlighting the PRD as the fastest growing economic zone in China, with an estimated 11 million workers employed by Hong Kong –based companies, Mr. Tang explained how Hong Kong could be a strategic platform for Finnish companies seeking to develop their Chinese and Asian markets. In his opinion, Finland could also help Hong Kong companies contribute to the European market.
“Hong Kong is an ideal operational base and launching pad for Finnish IT companies to develop their business operations in the PRD. We are indeed a hub, an integrator, a facilitator, a risk manager and supply chain manager for overseas companies.
Many well-known overseas companies have invested in the Delta area but are operating their regional headquarters or offices in Hong Kong. I look forward to the establishment of more Finnish businesses in Hong Kong,” Mr. Tang said.
Minister Vilén said: "Hong Kong already serves as an attractive platform for Finnish companies wishing to enter into and conduct business in the PRD area. Hong Kong offers a very competitive business climate, very good infrastructure and a base for access to large markets. Indeed, Finnish companies have already discovered the sizable opportunities that Hong Kong can offer. The number of Finnish companies present in Hong Kong is already large by our standards. This is especially true of the Finnish information and communications technology (ICT) industry. Other Finnish industrial sectors operating on a global scale are also increasingly interested in the benefits that Hong Kong can offer. "
Minister Vilén went on to say that the attraction of Hong Kong as a hub of the large Asian markets for Finnish businesses would no doubt be further enhanced if the opportunities offered by Hong Kong could be sealed through an agreement protecting existing as well as new investments and guaranteeing their treatment in all circumstances on a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory basis.
“We are very pleased to note that efforts towards this goal are already under way. Our Governments have for some time already conducted negotiations in order to reach an agreement on the promotion and protection of investments. There are still some major outstanding issues that have to be tackled before the negotiations can be concluded. I am, however, very confident that an agreement will be reached as both parties acknowledge the importance of such an agreement to the expansion of business relations between Finland and Hong Kong. Furthermore, both parties have shown good will, flexibility and commitment to the common goal in the negotiations, which is very promising. We very much hope that the agreement can be finalised in the near future. We are ready to continue to work towards this aim," said minister Vilén.
On 13 March, Mr. Tang also met with the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Kimmo Sasi. They discussed ways to facilitate exchanges under the Memorandum of Understanding on Information and Communications Technologies, signed between Hong Kong and Finland, in particular in the area of e-business.
They also exchanged views on the telecommunications market and experiences of the e-government and 3 G licences as well as of the introduction of the digital television in Finland.
Mr. Tang also visited a number of IT and research institutes and universities. On 13 March, he visited the National Technology Agency (TEKES), a state-owned agency providing funding or loans to companies and universities for R&D. TEKES wants to improve links with Hong Kong and China by identifying suitable counterparts to Finnish companies in the region. Mr. Tang and the President of TEKES, Mr Veli-Pekka Saarnivaara, discussed opportunities of further collaboration between the two economies through TEKES and Hong Kong’s Science Park and the Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI).
In the afternoon, Mr. Tang visited the Helsinki University of Technology and its extension, the Technology Center Innopoli, which combines business incubation with academic research. The Helsinki University of Technology and the University of Hong Kong will conclude a cooperation programme, while Innopoli is keen to foster links between Finnish ICT companies and Hong Kong companies.
Visiting a country renowned for its design, Mr. Tang seized the opportunity to visit two of the most important Finnish institutions in this area, the University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH) and Design Forum Finland. The visit was organized to take place in the afternoon of 14 March.
The UIAH is the largest university of its kind in the Nordics. A pioneer in research and education since its foundation, it has a strong and active international presence. Fourteen per cent of its students come from abroad. A cooperation agreement in the fields of art and design between UIAH and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University will also be concluded.
Design Forum Finland maintains close contacts with Finnish companies with a view to improving the exposure of Finnish design and increasing the use and applications of design in industry. The Forum organizes awards and exhibitions in Finland and abroad and is planning to set up an exhibition of Finnish design in Hong Kong next year.
During his stay in Helsinki, Mr. Tang also met representatives of Nokia. At a business-networking dinner hosted by Finpro, an expert and service association owned by Finnish companies, Mr. Tang had a chance to exchange views with other representatives of the ICT industry.