The Research Centre for Sustainable Hong Kong (CSHK) of CityU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences organises a workshop series entitled “Advancing Professional Development on Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones (ETCZs) Along Belt and Road”, welcoming the participation of investment/enterprises representatives, representatives from professional service sectors, and scholars and students interested in understanding more about ETCZs.

The workshop series, led by CSHK Director Professor Linda LI Che-lan, is a project funded by the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS) of HKSAR’s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB). It comprises six professional training workshops and two symposia spanning from 2021 to 2022, aiming to enhance the understanding of Hong Kong professional services on sustainable economic development of Hong Kong through understanding ETCZs along the Belt and Road countries. Furthermore, it attempts to deepen the understanding of key stakeholders of ETCZs on the competitive edges of Hong Kong professional services and business sectors, as well as to explore potential development opportunities via exchanging of ideas and sharing of analyses.

The series was kicked off by a symposium in webinar mode entitled “Global Connectivity, Opportunities and Challenges: Hong Kong and ETCZs along the Belt and Road” held on 7 January 2021. After the welcome and opening remarks by CityU’s Chairman of the Council Mr Lester HUANG, SBS, JP, and the keynote address by CEDB’s Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Dr Bernard CHAN, JP, there was an insight sharing on the opportunities and considerations of Hong Kong business and professional services in participating overseas projects. The guests discussed the issues in staff management and integration into the local culture, highlighted the role of Hong Kong in overseas businesses, elaborated on the advantages and potential opportunities for Hong Kong accountancy and legal service sectors, as well as in the fields of architecture, urban planning and construction.

The symposium participants also had an insightful exchange in the Q&A and discussion session. Topics covered include ESG factors (Environment, Society and Governance) measuring the sustainability of investments, corporate social responsibilities, the Greater Bay Area, small-and-medium enterprises and career development prospects of young professionals in Hong Kong.

Following the opening symposium will be the country-specific discussions in subsequent workshops. Zone operators, local enterprises, professional service leaders, expert scholars and government officials will be invited to conduct comprehensive and in-depth sharing on opportunities, challenges and experiences of overseas development in seven countries (Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Djibouti and Belarus) and their respective ETCZs.

The first country-specific discussion will be held on 8 February 2020, which will present a portrait of business opportunities and challenges in Cambodia from the perspectives of the local Cambodians, the Belt and Road, and Hong Kong. First-hand information, insights and successful experience will be shared.

Please visit this webpage for more information about the workshop series. 

Cover photo: Over 220 guests and participants from different sectors and around the world joined the symposium in person or online, providing a wealth of insightful thoughts and ideas based on their experience.