Choi Koon-shum: supports Hong Kong, Macao youths to work in Chinese mainland cities of GBA in other ways

Hong Kong and Guangdong are closely linked geographically and culturally, with highly active economic and social interactions, both contribute to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, Permanent Honorary President of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, gave his remarks on promoting connectivity and development between Guangdong and Hong Kong, also helping the GBA to become a world-class bay area.

Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, Permanent Honorary President of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. (Photo provided to GDToday)

To give Hong Kong, Macao youths a "sense of gain"

Increasing number of Hong Kong and Macao young people now choose to start business in the Chinese mainland cities of the GBA. Cities such as Foshan and Zhongshan have provided transportation subsidies for those youths. Also, they can enjoy a 3-5 years rent exemption in government-funded entrepreneurship hubs.

Hong Kong youths started their business in Jiangmen. (Photo provided to GDToday)

However, in order to truly attract these youths to start businesses, invest and live in the Chinese mainland, they should own a "sense of gain", said Choi. It requires to have equal treatment as far as possible in salary, tax and other convenient living conditions.

Not only mainland’s scientific & innovation sector is an entrepreneurship hot land for Hong Kong, Macao youths, but the creative (design) industry can bring them benefits. If those talents come to work here, they can boost the GBA economy as well as to bring in modern service industries from Hong Kong.

Another important issue is to help more Hong Kong professionals to practice in the Chinese mainland cities of the GBA, that involves mutual recognition of professionals between Guangdong and Hong Kong.

Choi emphasized that the GBA needs to further open-up and to attract more professionals. Since Hong Kong has a variety of top professionals such as designers, architects who are also highly-needed in the Chinese mainland cities of the GBA. They are more willing to work in the Chinese mainland if they are allowed to open their own firms here.

GBA should focus on building a circulation system

The current challenge to Hong Kong enterprises is the flow of people, logistics, capital, and information with Guangdong. "We should break down those barriers and make the GBA develop into an area like the European Union common market, enabling the free exchange of various elements," said Choi.

Hong Kong financial institutions have entered Shenzhen's financial center. (Photo provided to GDToday)

In terms of economic development, the GBA can learn from the laws, administration on finance and freight transportation. A lot of Hong Kong entrepreneurs want to invest in the Chinese mainland cities of the GBA and look for a business environment that can facilitate the smooth flow of capital.

In addition to financial industry, Hong Kong also has a strong modern service sector. Guangdong and Hong Kong should consider helping Hong Kong professionals such as lawyers, accountants, doctors to work in Guangdong.

For instance, for professionals who have obtained a license in Hong Kong, they may be allowed to operate their own firms in the Chinese mainland after some registration. If some specific rules are issued by the two places, these will attract more Hong Kong's advanced technologies, products and talent to Guangdong.

Schedule planner: Tang Lina

Planners: He Jingwen, Men Lili, Zhang Ying

Reporters: Li Miaojuan, Zhan Haishan, Wu Mingze

English version: Will

English dditors: Nan, Jerry