Orange County Committee Holds First Lunch Guest Speaker Program (July 2002)

Orange County Committee Holds First Lunch Guest Speaker Program Mr. Michael Sze, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, spoke at the first lunch guest speaker program of the Orange county Committee, held July 24 in Costa Mesa. He offered a snapshot of Hong Kong's current status and an optimistic update on Hong Kong's future role in Pearl River Delta region, spotlighting several vital issues.

Mr. Sze noted that in light of manufacturing shifting to China, and China's own developing services, "Hong Kong is very well-placed to benefit from the increase in trade." In addition to helping companies manage risks and navigates rules in China, Hong Kong must improve infrastructure at the border, learn from the strengths of Chinese companies, and provide the business services they need. "While Hong Kong has some issues to deal with, I feel that Hong Kong ha the fundamentals to see us through them," Mr. Sze stated.

Mr. Sze recognized the continued importance of developing relations around the world through the HKTDC and organizations like the Hong Kong Business Association. In concluding, he reminded the audience that Hong Kong is uniquely placed as a gateway to trade: "Shanghai doesn't have the advantage of the two systems … The international trade and finance centre will continue to be Hong Kong, because we 're already there."

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