55
but has also
played an important part in bringing about an
average annual increase in our total China trade of 30% over
the past five years. The southern coastal belt of China,
and the Pearl River Delta in particular, is set to be an
area of substantial economic growth for the next two or
three decades. Hong Kong must be ready and able to play a
major part in this process.
(b) An international business centre
102.
Economically,
regional, role
we have а global, as well as a
to
play.
Last year, we set up the
International Business Committee, under the Chairmanship of
the Chief Secrecary.
symbol of
This Committee is more than just a
the key role which overseas investors and
companies will continue to play in Hong Kong. It brings
together representatives of all the foreign chambers of
commerce in a high-level forum where major practical issues
of concern to the overseas community can be discussed.
community is growing fast.
companies
This
The total number of overseas
based in Hong Kong has increased for the last five
years at the rate of nearly 60 per year. This is a net
figure: new arrivals far more than compensate for the few,
over-publicised cases of companies deciding to leave.
/103. These