Hong Kong has ranked as the world’s freest economy in the Wall Street Journal and Heritage Foundation’s prestigious Index of Economic Freedom for 15 consecutive years and remains an ideal location for companies wishing to enter the Asian market, particularly China. Hong Kong’s state-of-the-art facilities, level-playing field, sound economic and financial systems, rule of law and the mix of East and West have already attracted many overseas companies, including several hundreds of Belgian enterprises. Many of them use Hong Kong as their base for doing business in Mainland China. Moreover, for Belgian companies, there is an extra attraction. Back in 2003, Hong Kong and Belgium signed an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. This agreement means that Belgian companies doing business in Hong Kong are not taxed twice and, as a result, enjoy tax savings.
To learn more on the advantages Hong Kong can offer to Belgian companies, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and AWEX are organising the seminar “Hong Kong, Your Gateway to Success!” at Cercle de Wallonie (www.cercledewallonie.be). The seminar will be followed by a luncheon. Both events are free of charge.
Programme –
10:30 Registration of Participants
11:00 Welcome by Mr Philippe Suinen, CEO, AWEX (Wallonia Foreign Trade & Investment Agency)
11:05 Opening remarks by Ms Mary Chow, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union
11:10 Business and Investment opportunities in Asia-Pacific via the Hong Kong platform
- by Mr Siegfried Verstappen, Senior Investment Promotion Executive, Invest Hong Kong
11:25 Succeeding in China: How Hong Kong and HKTDC can help?
- by Mr Martin Evans, Regional Manager (Europe) Corporate Communication, HKTDC
11:40 Briefing on the Avoidance of Double-Taxation Arrangements between Hong Kong and Belgium
- by Mr Kurt De Haen, VMB Accountants & Belastingconsulenten
11:55 Testimony of a Belgian investor in Hong Kong – by Mr Jean-Pierre Lutgen, CEO, Ice Watch
12:10 Testimony of a Belgian investor in Hong Kong – by Mr Benoit Dewonck, Sales Director, IP Trade
12:25 Q&A
12:40 Conclusion by Mr Thomas Ronse,
Asia/Pacific Business Development Manager Export & Investment (AWEX)
12:45 Cocktail sponsored by AWEX
13:15 Luncheon hosted by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels
