“Super salesman” Hong Kong to boost mainland development

Will also enhance role as 'super connector'.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Hong Kong will be the economic region's "Chief Knowledge Officer” and its "super connector" linking the mainland to overseas countries.

Leung made these remarks at the Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation and Development Forum in Guizhou after Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang asked Hong Kong to play the super-salesman's role.

Wang earlier said Hong Kong can be responsible for taking orders from buyers; Guangdong will be responsible for design and the hinterland for manufacturing,

Leung said Hong Kong is the Asia-Pacific headquarters of more 1,300 corporations and can provide information to companies from the Pan-Pearl River Delta by using the knowledge and experience from around the world. There are also 5,000 commercial consultancies with expertise in human resources, financial management and market sales in the city.

Leung said Hong Kong has been the biggest investor in the Pearl River Delta since 2004 when it invested over US$147 million. By 2012, this total had risen to US$327 million, equivalent to half the total investment in the delta region.

Hong Kong's listed companies in the area increased almost threefold from 70 to 200 in the same period.