Europe Forum – a further breakthrough for the Federation

Overview

The Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide achieved a further breakthrough with the success of its first regional caucus meeting in Europe.

Held in Brussels on May 21 and 22 May, the Europe Forum was chaired by Bjorn Larsen, who is Chairman of the Denmark-Hong Kong Trade Association and Vice-Chairman of the Federation. Chairmen or representatives of 12 Hong Kong Associations from across Europe, who together represent over 1,100 members, attended the meeting. Special guest at the Forum was Federation Chairman Mac Brotman from Montreal, who also chairs the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association. The meeting was facilitated by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s European offices and Federation secretariat from Hong Kong.

A top priority of the Federation in 2002 is to strengthen the Hong Kong Business Associations in Europe and, in particular, to attract a higher level of participation from Europe at the next Hong Kong Forum, scheduled for November 12 and 13, 2002 in Hong Kong.

The Europe Forum proved its value as a platform for Heads of the Business Associations in Europe to meet mid-way through the year and brainstorm at regional level on the future direction of the European Business Associations.

Association leaders raised new ideas, exchanged information, shared experiences and initiated greater co-operation.

The Europe Forum also coincided with the visit to Brussels of the Chief Secretary, Donald Tsang, and the 4th Plenary Session of the HK/EU & EU/HK Business Cooperation Committees. Special arrangements were made by HKTDC for Europe Association Heads to attend as guests a high-level dinner for the plenary addressed by Mr Tsang and by the European Trade Commissioner, Mr Pascal Lamy. Association Heads also remained in Brussels to attend as observers the proceedings of the HK/EU and EU/HK committees, which are chaired respectively by Dr. Victor K. Fung, Chairman of Li & Fung Group and Mr. Rod Eddington, Chief Executive of British Airways Plc.

Programme

The Europe Forum got underway on 21 May with a business lunch hosted by the Belgium / Hong Kong Society in the De Warande Society, a prestigious club in the centre of Brussels. Guest of honour was Alasdair Morrison, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asia Limited, whose speech described Hong Kong’s expanded role as a financial services centre following China’s WTO accession. Mr. Christopher Cheng, Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce also attended the event to answer the questions raised by the Association Heads and Representatives. Points made by both guests provided fresh material for association leaders to reference in spreading Hong Kong’s message in their home countries. Mr Morrison’s speech will be uploaded on the Federation web sit.

Main Meeting

How to recruit more members to Associations in Europe was top of the agenda for the meeting. which provided a valuable opportunity to.
The Sweden-Hong Kong Society has more doubled its membership during the last two years. Its Chairman Lars Gardo pointed to a strong interest in Hong Kong among Swedish companies, low membership fees and regular, high-quality events as key to its success.

Other issues raised by the participants included enlargement of the base of European Business Associations to include the Eastern European countries and the Baltic States; leveraging on existing members to recruit new members by referrals; standardising the application procedures; and urging Member Associations to submit membership directories to the Secretariat for compiling the database of the Federation Associates which would also be valuable information for individual Associates.

Outlining ways to improve activities and events, Leif Schwabe, Chairman of the Norway-Hong Kong Trade Association, suggested cross-border co-operation, with members invited to events organised by associations in neighbouring markets. He noted the popularity of sporting occasions such as golf tournaments, and said lucky draws for air tickets would also help attract members to events.

Participants were keen to build up a closer relationship with other Member Associations in Europe. All agreed that it would be helpful to notify the neighbouring Member Associations whenever any guest speaker from Hong Kong had confirmed to speak at any Business Association in Europe. They might then also consider to invite the guest to make a side trip and to speak at their Associations.

During discussion of membership benefits Ole Christoffersen welcomed the launch of the Federation’s benefit card which gives discounts on hotels, restaurants and air travel. He also described how agreements had been made with SAS and Lufthansa to offer members discounts on flights to Hong Kong and this had attracted ten new members to join the Denmark – Hong Kong Trade Association.

Members also appreciated the formation of the Speakers’ Bureau which helped to identify a pool of speakers with first hand information and good knowledge of Hong Kong in China’s WTO era. In addition, participants also indicated strong interest in the recent publication of TDC called "Guide to Doing Business in China" and this would be a very useful guidebook for their Members. The Secretariat would further explore the circulation of this guidebook to Member Associations.

Looking ahead to the Hong Kong Forum in November 2002, Dr Jacques Pelletier, President of the Association France-Hong Kong , said it updates members about what’s happening in Hong Kong and strengthens links between individual associations. He described the format of the inaugural Hong Kong Forum as well-balanced, and noted the value of the high-level meetings with senior Government official and business leaders, the visit to Shenzhen and the container port, and the leisure activities.

Members would keep track of any trade missions to Hong Kong/China in November and Members would further discuss with the parties concerned on how to attract the mission delegates to participate at the upcoming Hong Kong Forum.

Bjorn Larsen and Mac Brotman both also urged Associations in Europe to do their utmost to secure strong participation by members in the next Hong Kong Forum, 12 – 13 November 2002. Some Associations are seriously exploring the idea of organising trade missions to coincide with the Hong Kong Forum.

Conclusion

The Europe Forum was concluded with great success and thanks to the support and active participation of all the Association Heads and Representatives. All participants treasured very much the opportunity for a good exchange among the Member Associations in Europe to discuss the way forward. The plenary session has added great benefits to them in gaining first hand information presented by the Chief Secretary and Hong Kong business leaders about Hong Kong’s expanded role in China’ WTO era. It is agreed that the European Business Associations should meet regularly for information exchange.


For more details, you may refer to the following two on-site interviews in Brussels:

1) Interview with Mr. Bjorn Larsen, Europe Forum Chairman (56k) (100K)
2) Interview with Mr. Maxwell Brotman, Federation Chairman (56k) (100K)