Organized
by:
Maryland-China Business Council
Invest Hong Kong
Sponsored by:
O'Connell & Co
Featuring:
Mr.
Mike Rowse, Director-General, Invest Hong Kong
The
potential of China's rapidly growing market has caught the
attention of American companies. However, since China is
an emerging marketplace with unique characteristics, many
companies face uncertainties when seeking business opportunities.
Mike Rowse will present the myriad advantages of Hong Kong
as a proven platform for accessing this dynamic market.
Hong Kong's rule of law, unfettered financial markets and
ample support services for companies both large and small
are some of the advantages which he will cover.
Mr.
Rowse will also introduce the Closer Economic Partnership
Arrangement (CEPA) and explain how foreign companies will
be able to benefit from this free trade agreement which
allows preferential access for goods and services going
to Mainland China. CEPA is a concrete example of the economic
partnership between Hong Kong and Mainland China, and Mr.
Rowse will present opportunities to be found in Hong Kong's
close cooperation with the surrounding Pearl River Delta
(PRD) region which is is among China's most affluent with
considerable purchasing power.
If
you are considering how to benefit from China's vast market
or are looking for additional opportunities, this event
should not be missed. Mr. Rowse will also be available for
questions and advice.
Mike
Rowse has lived and worked in Hong Kong since 1972. Prior
to public service, he worked as an English tutor and tabloid
journalist. In 1974, he joined the Independent Commission
Against Corruption. During a distinguished government career
spanning 29 years, he was Hong Kong's first Commissioner
for Tourism.
As
Hong Kong's first Director-General of Investment Promotion,
Mr. Rowse established Invest Hong Kong in July 2000. Last
year, industry magazine Strategic Direct Investornamed Invest
Hong Kong the top investment promotion agency in Asia Pacific
and the best for creating partnerships.
Mr.
Rowse was also secretary for the new public and private
sector partnership established last May to relaunch Hong
Kong following the containment of SARS.
In
2001, Mr. Rowse was named Communicator of the Year by trade
publication PRWeek. He has been profiled in The New York
Times and other leading publications. He is Hong Kong's
first expatriate civil servant to naturalize as a citizen
of China and is married to Fanny Wong who is the former
political editor of Hong Kong's largest English language
newspaper.
