Transcript Hong Kong and Greece

Overview of HONG KONG
Miss Alice Choi
Deputy Representative, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels
Greece, January 2014
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Outline
•Introduction of HKETO, Brussels
•Hong Kong and Greece
•Key facts about Hong Kong
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Introduction
•Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels
•The official government representation to the European Union and
15 European countries, including Greece.
•Bilateral relations between Hong Kong and the EU, as well as
governments of the 15 European countries.
•Promote Hong Kong's economic and trade interests, as well as
cultural and social exchanges with European countries.
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Hong Kong and Greece
•
Gateway to Europe vs Gateway to Asia.
•
Export from HK to Greece 2013 (Jan – Nov):
Around EUR 92 million (+1.7% compared to 2012)
•
Export from Greece to HK 2013 (Jan – Nov):
Around EUR 53 million (+5.8% compared to 2012)
•
Total bi-lateral trade 2013 (Jan – Nov):
Around EUR 145 million (+3.2% compared to 2012)
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Hong Kong and Greece
•
Major Greek export to HK:
• Telecommunications equipment (38.9%);
• clothing (8.8%);
• watches and clocks (7.9%);
• plastic waste and scrap (5.4%);
• perfumery and cosmetics (4.6%).
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Key Facts about HONG KONG
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1. One Country, Two Systems
• A Special Administrative Region of
China under the 'one country,
two systems' principle since 1997.
• High degree of autonomy under
the Basic Law,
the “mini-constitution”.
• Separate political and legal system
from the Mainland China.
• Separate immigration, customs,
police and anti-corruption
authorities and jurisdictions.
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2. Rule of Law
• Rule of law upheld by a legal system based on the British
Common Law system, with a fully independent judiciary.
• The fundamental rights of residents protected by law.
• Legal and official regulations available in English and Chinese.
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3. World’s freest economy
• The ‘World’s Freest Economy’ by the Heritage Foundation in
the US and the Fraser Institute of Canada.
•
•
•
•
No trade barriers
No restrictions on investments inward or outward.
No foreign exchange controls.
No nationality restrictions on corporate ownership.
• Level-playing field for all.
• The second easiest place in the world to do business, according
to the World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2013.
• Constitutionally-guaranteed free press and freedom of speech.
Unrestricted access to the internet.
• Sound regime for the protection of intellectual property rights.
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4. Low and simple tax regime
Corporate Income
16.5
Employer Social Security
45
25
17
Personal Income
20
15
14.5
49
20
Employee Social Security
23
17
VAT
China
Singapore
7
5 5 0
Hong Kong
Only 3 direct taxes in HK: profits, salaries, property
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NO VAT/GST or sales tax
• NO estate duty
•
NO capital gains tax
•
NO withholding tax on
dividends and interest
• NO global taxation (offshore
income allowed/only HKsourced income is taxable)
• NO wine duty
Source: Forbes Tax Misery Index 2009, Inland Revenue
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5. International connection
• The most globalised economy in the Ernst&Young Globalization
Index 2012.
• 3 883 international companies set up their regional headquarters
and offices in Hong Kong.
• English as the language of business.
• The best international airport for
eight of the past 11 years, with
Flights to more than 160 cities.
• International cargo hub.
• Top choice by international
exhibitions and conferences.
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6. Gateway to China
• Pearl River Delta China’s largest and
most productive
manufacturing region
• Guangzhou-ShenzhenHong Kong Express Rail
Link scheduled for
completion in 2015 – 45
mins to Guangzhou.
• Hong Kong-ZhuhaiMacao Bridge
scheduled for
completion in 2016.
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7. HK-China Business Links
• HK handles about one-fifth of China’s foreign trade.
• Hong Kong is the single largest source (47%) of foreign capital
for Mainland enterprises.
• Hong Kong is the world’s largest and most efficient offshore
renminbi (RMB) business hub, with the world’s largest offshore
pool of RMB liquidity.
• CEPA – A special free trade pact offering Hong Kong products
tariff-free entry to the Mainland Chinese market and preferential
treatment in Hong Kong service trades.
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8. Upbeat economic data
• World’s 9th largest trading economy in 2013.
• Standard & Poor has assigned its highest rating (AAA) to Hong
Kong’s long-term foreign currency and local currency ratings,
with a stable outlook.
• Number of business operations in Hong Kong with parent
companies overseas and in Mainland China in 2012: + 4.3%
(compared with 2011)
• Latest GDP growth rate (Q3 2013): 2.9%
• Latest Inflation rate (Nov 2013): 4.3%
• Latest Unemployment rate (Nov 2013): 3.3%
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Thank you and
see you in Hong Kong!
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