XN000022-1996-12-05 — Page 33

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The survey identified 2,307 regional operations in Hong Kong as at June 1, 1996. They included 816 regional headquarters and 1,491 regional offices. This represents a 12 per cent increase in the total number of regional operations since 1995.

The US had the largest number of regional headquarters in Hong Kong, with 188 companies, followed by Japan (with 122), the UK (90) and China (85). As for regional offices, Japan had the largest number of regional offices (338), followed by the US (226), China (128) and the UK (123).

On the perception of Hong Kong as a regional centre, more than 90 per cent of the respondents considered banking and financial facilities and infrastructure to be the most important and favourable factors. Other important and favourable factors mirrored those identified in the survey on external manufacturing investment.

On promotion of inward investment in Hong Kong's services industries, Mr Ho said the Industry Department was given the task in the Addendum to the 1996/97 Budget.

He said the department had been conducting an inward investment promotion programme in respect of Hong Kong's manufacturing sector for more than 20 years.

"As demonstrated by the results of the two surveys on industrial investment and regional representation, the promotion work has been producing results," he added.

In consultation with government policy branches and other departments, the department has identified a number of service industries for its investment promotion programme. They include: services for production, retail, maritime transport, reinsurance and captive insurance, environmental management, building management, project development and management, and regional headquarters and offices.

On the basis of the existing promotional framework and methods, the department will strengthen the service components of the business plans of its overseas Investment Promotion Units.

"The Industry Department will step up its overseas marketing efforts in the promotion of inward investment in Hong Kong's service industries. Within Hong Kong, it will certainly involve the Government and public-sector agencies in such efforts to achieve better synergy," Mr Ho said.

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