JEDDAH, 16 October — Hong Kong, which now ranks as the 10th largest trading center in the world, is projecting itself as the gateway to China.
“We’re here to tell the Saudi business community, especially those in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), that we can be your gateway to global business and also help you find business partners,” Jeff Ambjorn, director, Middle East, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), told a press conference at Jeddah Marriott Hotel yesterday.
“We’re willing to fly 15 Saudi businessmen to Hong Kong whenever they are ready for such a visit,” he said. Ambjorn is scheduled to discuss the proposal with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry at a meeting today.
“We’ve a lot to offer to the Kingdom,” he added. Hong Kong’s exports to the Kingdom were valued at $329 million and its imports, mostly chemicals, from the Kingdom stood at $183 million in 2001. The UAE is its biggest trading partner, followed by the Kingdom, which is the island’s third largest export market in the Middle East, according to Ambjorn who was accompanied by HKTDC Marketing Manager Ali Fakha.
With a view to further boosting bilateral trade, 10 Hong Kong companies have mounted a huge pavilion at the ongoing international trade and fashion fair here. The fair, which opened at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center on Monday, continues up to Friday. Exhibitors are showcasing consumer goods, clothing, leather goods, fashion accessories and textiles in the 20th multisectoral trade expo for light industries organized by Al Harithy Co. for Exhibitions. This is the fourth time that the island is taking part in the annual fair.
The Hong Kong pavilion features a kaleidoscope of consumer products encompassing apparel, handbags, scarves, imitation jewelry, cosmetics, gifts, silverware, porcelain, household items, stationery and office equipment.
Hong Kong has changed itself from a manufacturing place to a service-oriented center. “Our status has changed from ‘Made in Hong Kong’ to ‘Made by Hong Kong’ as 85 percent of products are made in China thanks to cheap labor,” he said.
He said visas were issued on arrival for Saudis and certain other nationalities including Indians and Pakistanis.
Replying to a question, he said: “We don’t make fake products. They may be coming from certain Far East countries.”
Ambjorn emphasized that businessmen and investors from the island believed that stability in the region meant good business prospects for neighboring countries.
He said Hong Kong, with its six million population and visitors exceeding 10 million a year, has introduced a one-stop cyber marketplace to facilitate the sourcing of Hong Kong products and services as well as matching with business partners. Launched by the HKTDC, multilingual versions of tdctrade.com in English, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Korean are available and soon it can be accessed in Arabic also.
