Forum set to advance economic cooperation between Ningbo, HK

The 2023 Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Forum is scheduled to take place in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on June 27.

This year's forum will feature one main forum and three special events. The main forum will focus on promoting the Ningbo Free Trade Zone and the Yongjiang Science and Technology Innovation Zone, while also witnessing the signing of multiple cooperation project agreements.

One of the three special events will be the 2023 Ningbo-Hong Kong-Macau Education Cooperation Forum, during which the three cities will discuss the sharing of quality digital educational resources. Additionally, eight universities from the three regions will pair up to enhance cooperation.

Ningbo will also hold a high-level talent introduction fair in the SAR, where over 600 high-end talent positions are expected to be offered by 20 well-known enterprises and institutions from the city.

Another important event to be held alongside the forum is the 2023 Ningbo-Hong Kong Young Entrepreneurs Summit. Young entrepreneurs from the two cities will map out new plans for economic development and further strengthen bilateral trade ties.

Since its inception in 2022, the Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Forum has become a vital platform for boosting bilateral economic ties. Cooperative projects signed into effect during the forum in previous years totaled approximately $25.5 billion in investment.

As of the end of May, 7,594 Hong Kong-funded enterprises were registered in Ningbo, with a total investment of $141.94 billion. 

Meanwhile, Ningbo set up 915 enterprises and institutions in Hong Kong, with a cumulative investment of $9.76 billion, while 17 Ningbo enterprises were listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with a total market value of about $30.11 billion.

Hong Kong has become Ningbo's largest source of foreign investment, an important partner in trade and overseas mergers and acquisitions and the primary market for Ningbo enterprises looking to go public. At the same time, Ningbo has become a fertile ground for Hong Kong's business community to invest and expand into the mainland market.