Hong Kong is working out a strategy to sell itself as an outsourcing base for small and growing Indian IT companies. The city is also keen to help India in infrastructure development and, in turn, is seeking India?s active role in the growth of its creative industries.
?We would like second and third tier software development companies in India to find a partner in Hong Kong and also conduct some of the business in mainland China. Some of the export of software could be modified in Hong Kong to get into the Chinese market,? Alan Wong, deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), a semi-government organization, said here.
He said several Hong Kong business delegations have already been to India for generic and sector specific discussions. ?We are doing our research and would hold more discussions with India on areas of cooperation. We are excited about the possibilities,? the official said.
Noting that massive infrastructure development was going on in India, Wong said Hong Kong could help India in port management, logistics services, energy management and construction of roads and shopping malls.
He pointed out that the Hong Kong government was paying more attention to the advancement of creative industries and added that areas of co-operation with India would include design & architecture, performing arts, music, films, publishing, digital entertainment and advertising.
?Besides, we can give Indian films an international platform by offering them to our visitors, particularly from Russia, eastern and central Europe, Japan, Korea and Malaysia. This would give Indian films even more value,? he said.
According to InvestHK, an investment promotion agency of the Hong Kong government, the total trade between Hong Kong and India was worth $7.7 billion in 2006, of which Indian exports were $4.7 billion. While India?s major exports were engineering goods, chemicals, agriculture and petroleum products and gems & jewellery, Hong Kong?s $3 billion exports to India included petroleum products, machinery, precious and semi-precious stones.
While the 45,000-strong Indian community is one of the largest ethnic groups here, around 1,000 firms — in businesses like IT, financial services, shipping, trading, jewellery and professional services — in Hong Kong are run by Indian businessmen. These firms are intermediaries for trade between Africa, Middle East and China.