Bridge to Asia

As perhaps the biggest business hub for Asia and the Pacific, Hong Kong's economy grows by almost eight percent each year. Local legal and tax regulations make this special administrative district of China one of the most competitive economies in the world. Now Hong Kong's authorities are inviting Polish entrepreneurs to come to Hong Kong to open offices in the region.

"Last year Hong Kong was ranked sixth in terms of FDI. Its value exceeded $530 (zł.1,564) billion. It is the preferred location for businesses in the region. We have around 3,850 regional offices set up by foreign companies," says Sarah Wu, general director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO).

Lore Buscher, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's regional director for Central and Eastern Europe, believes Polish companies, from exporters to investors, should now seek opportunities for development in Asia through fairs organized in Hong Kong.

"I would like to encourage Polish businesspeople to take part in the fairs both as visitors and exhibitors. The fairs are a ideal platform for initiating business contacts with Asian companies and an opportunity to get information from the best sources," says Buscher.

Trade turnover between Poland and Hong Kong grows 20 percent every year, on average. According to Wu, Hong Kong could become a bridge between Poland and China, as almost nine percent of Polish exports to China go through Hong Kong.