Annual Report 2013-14

18 FHKI Annual Report 2013-14 Chaired by FHKI Deputy Chairman Willy Lin, the PRD Council (PRDC) with its chapters in nine cities has organised a wide range of activities and provided regular updates on PRD-related policies and business opportunities for members. In 2013-14, a total of 104 activities including seminars, visits to government departments and factories, study missions and networking gatherings has been held. The Mainland Affairs Committee (MAC) is tasked to oversee liaison with places outside the PRD. Chaired by Dr John Chan, the MAC received 26 incoming delegations from various provinces and municipalities in the Mainland to enhance business networking. LiaisonwithMainlandOfficials Leveraging on the good connections built up with the Mainland authorities at all levels, the FHKI and the PRDC embarked on missions to Beijing and Guangdong to reflect members’ concern. A FHKI delegation, led by Chairman Stanley Lau, visited the relevant central ministries in Beijing in November 2013 to convey our views on issues pertaining to the interests of Hong Kong enterprises operating in the Mainland. The ministerial officials encouraged FHKI members to ride on the Mainland’s economic reform blueprint endorsed at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for collaboration opportunities. Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Yan and Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Zhou Bo drew the delegates’ attention to the direction of the reform, i.e. the decisive role to be played by the market in the allocation of resources. Responding to delegates’ enquiry over the proposed Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau free trade zone, Ms Gao replied that the central ministries concerned were liaising with Guangdong officials on the subject. At another meeting, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Su Bo briefed the delegation on the Ministry’s work in assisting enterprises to upgrade and transform their production processes. The delegation also met with Director-General of Department of Conciliation and Arbitration Management of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security Dong Ping to express concern over hefty increases in wages as well as rises in numerous labour-related charges in the Mainland in recent years. ExploringMainland Business Opportunities 開拓內地商機 Operational Review 工作回顧 FHKI delegates met with leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in Beijing to discuss industrial transformation and upgrading. 工總代表在北京與工業和信息化部領導會面，討論工業轉型升級。