Japanese companies should invest more in Hong Kong and the nearby city of Shenzhen because the two markets are in convenient locations for business and have good infrastructures, according to government officials from the two cities.
Michael Rowse, director general of investment promotion in the Hong Kong government, told an investment seminar Thursday in Tokyo that Hong Kong can be a business hub in Asia because it is only a 3 1/2-hour flight from most other Asian cities.
Hong Kong also has excellent port facilities and other well-developed infrastructure, Rowse said. "The reason why you should be in Hong Kong is overwhelming."
Wang Xiaochun, a trade official from Shenzhen, told the same seminar that the southern Chinese city has an advantage over Shanghai because of its stronger infrastructure.
Referring to recent reports of frequent electricity shortages in the Shanghai region, Wang said, "There isn't even one incident of production stoppage in Shenzhen."
Known as the "world's factory," the south of China is home to 60 percent to 70 percent of the global production of photocopiers, printers and digital cameras, the two officials said. About 3,500 Japanese firms are currently operating in the region.