Growing Demand for US Products and Services in Asia
Exports from the United States to the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong should increase significantly in 2012, a senior Hong Kong trade official told 300 business and financial services professionals at a seminar in New York City, 2 December.
“We see growing demand for US products and services,” said Fred Lam, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), speaking at the seminar, “Hong Kong: America’s Bridge to Asian Growth.”
“For example, in the first 10 months of 2011, the Chinese mainland’s consumer goods imports grew 57 per cent, year-on-year. We believe this trend can only continue in the foreseeable future, given that domestic consumption and urbanisation are now two major priorities of the mainland’s Central Government.”
Mr. Lam also noted that the shifting of the mainland’s manufacturing industry from low-end processing to the higher end of the value chain will require a wide variety of technology. “Most of it will have to be imported,” he said. “This means opportunity for everyone, especially US companies.”
American companies’ goods and services are in high demand in Asia because of their innovation and quality, said Mr Lam. He added that US exports would be helped by the Pacific Bridge Initiative (PBI). A trade collaboration between the HKTDC and the US Department of Commerce, the PBI was created to help US companies boost their trade with the mainland and other Asian markets through Hong Kong. Over the past year, the PBI, said Mr. Lam, has helped triple the number of export transactions done by new-to-market US firms in Hong Kong.
To view video highlights of PBI-related events over the past year, please visit: http://bit.ly/u1P33g .
American firms are also expanding their presence in Hong Kong. Some 1,330 US companies currently have regional headquarters and offices in Hong Kong, up five per cent over last year.
Other seminar speakers included Professor A Michael Spence, the 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics. Professor Spence, the William R Berkley Professor in Economics & Business, Stern School of Business, New York University, addressed “Challenges, Risks and Opportunities in China” in his keynote luncheon address.
Nice! Buying American!
I am planning on buying a Ford Fusion as my next car, once my current one dies. American is the way to go!
My mechanic says for me to buy American, and I have been reading a lot of articles that refer to what you are saying, Marisa, about Ford’s tech investments. I haven’t been in the market for a car for quite some time, and this vehicle definitely shows Ford’s progress in the tech department. It’s impressive that this car gets over 30 mpg highway, responds like a sport model, has a manual shift mode, and 6 gears (not to mention the cool “comfort” package, with accent lights and about 7 different interior colors hehe).
I have to say, I really like the car a lot.
And, just for the record, it outruns my friend’s BMW, costs less, is more roomy, rides smoother, is quieter, and boasts more horsepower. 🙂
FYI,
Ford is investing in state-of-the-art technology for their line of automobiles. They are also known for energy conservation–going green. We have all heard of the Ford answer to the Toyota Prius Hybrid–The Ford Fusion. I attend the auto show every year and I have to say that I am very impressed with the advancements that the Ford Motor Company has made to date. The Ford Mustang Convertible 1967 is one of my favorite classics of all-time!