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Dynamic Business Climate Vital to Hong Kong
A prominent American entrepreneur called for the maintenance of a buoyant business climate and an unequivocal commitment to the rule of law in Hong Kong.
In an interview with China Daily Monday, H. Richard Kahler, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham), said these two conditions would have to be in place for Hong Kong to become a major international city. AmCham is presenting a Leadership Series on Thursday featuring famous entrepreneurs who will discuss leadership strategies. Guest speakers include Tung Chee-hwa, chief executive of Hong Kong Speical Administrative Region (HKSAR), and Michael Dell, chairman of Dell Computers.
Kahler noted that consistency in competition and tax policies and reforms in the civil service and education will be crucial to maintaining a competitive economic environment. And AmCham will continue to work closely with the Hong Kong Government in those areas, he said.
To uphold rule of law, it is important to stick to the Basic Law of HKSAR because "it provides comfort to international business people operating here and any breach of it will work against Hong Kong, " said Kahler.
Hong Kong's economy has taken a turn for the better after the Asian financial crisis and should remain positive over next three to five years, said Kahler, citing Hong Kong's double-digit economic growth for two consecutive quarters. Kahler said this optimism is shared by most of AmCham members.
"Hong Kong is vibrant. If you walk around the city today, it feels dynamic. You feel the introduction of new companies coming into Hong Kong, a lot of them high-technology companies."
The upturn has dispelled some people's doubts about Hong Kong's autonomy and vitality after the handover in 1997, Kahler said.
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