Bernard Chan: B&R embodies commerce and trade integration

Faced with the turbulent global economic and trade situation, Bernard Chan, Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, stressed that B&R is the strongest shield against the complex environment. He pointed out that the HKSAR Government is committed to being a facilitator to enable the central ministries, Mainland provinces and cities, central state-owned enterprises, state-owned enterprises and private enterprises to understand Hong Kong’s irreplaceable status and strengths, while fully optimizing the huge B&R opportunities in a progressive manner so that different professionals and stakeholders in Hong Kong enterprises can understand the opportunities brought by B&R and participate in it.

Chan said that Hong Kong has a large number of talents who are familiar with international rules in areas such as law, finance, investment, financing, accounting, project planning and project management. Many internationally renowned professional service agencies also have a presence in Hong Kong and use Hong Kong as a base to tap into the Asian market. Coupled with its sound and transparent regulatory system, mature capital markets and stable market infrastructure, Hong Kong is well-placed to become a professional service center for B&R. The key is how to effectively align the above strengths with B&R projects and business opportunities.

Encouraging young people to participate in B&R cannot be overlooked either. Chan said that the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau is working with some professional organizations, tertiary institutions and business associations to develop a scheme to improve the professional service capabilities for B&R, with the goal of training the professional service industry and young professionals to capture opportunities from the initiative. The Government will also organize delegations from the industrial and commercial sectors to visit countries along B&R. Chan said that young people of some local start-ups will also join the delegations to enable them to learn about the local situations on the ground and step up alignment accordingly.