The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was set up in July 2002. It is one of the four offices set up in the Mainland to foster closer links between HKSAR and the Mainland.
BACKGROUND
Guangdong Province, particularly the Pearl River Delta (PRD), has long been Hong Kong's economic hinterland and the closest business and trading partner. It is home to the largest number of Hong Kong companies operating outside Hong Kong and it is the main destination of Hong Kong's outward investments. Economically, the PRD and Hong Kong have complemented each other's development. Up to end 2009, more than 100,000 Hong Kong-invested enterprises have been established in Guangdong cumulatively.
As the major gateway to the Mainland, Hong Kong is well positioned to capitalise on the business and trade opportunities in the PRD arising from China's accession to the World Trade Organisation. It will be timely and of mutual benefit for Hong Kong and Guangdong to strengthen their economic co-operation and forge closer business links between the two places.
Upon the approval of the State Council, the GDETO was established in July 2002 focusing on economic and trade affairs. The objective of its establishment is to enhance economic co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, strengthen business and trade links between the two sides, promote investments to Hong Kong or through Hong Kong to the world, and provide better support for Hong Kong businessmen with operations in Guangdong. Apart from maintaining close contact with local governments, the Office also steps up communication between Hong Kong businessmen and relevant commerce and trade departments within the Province, with a view to promoting mutual understanding and resolving problems generally affecting these businessmen. It also assists businessmen in obtaining information on business and trade in Hong Kong and Guangdong that facilitates their business development and expansion.
To further enhance links between Hong Kong and the Southern China Region, the HKSAR Government has decided to expand the service boundary of GDETO to cover five provinces/region, including Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan with effect from 1 April 2006. GDETO has also set up an immigration team to provide practical assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress in the five provinces/region. To further strengthen the co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong and Hong Kong and Shenzhen, GDETO has established a liaison unit in Shenzhen. The unit is to enhance our liaison with the Shenzhen authorities and to provide support to Hong Kong residents and businesses in Shenzhen. The Shenzhen Liaison Unit has come into operation in August 2010.