Two sectors are the big winners from new phase of market-opening measures for Hong Kong firms on mainland
Beijing has granted Hong Kong firms fresh operating concessions in the mainland market under the latest stage of Cepa, with lawyers and travel agents the biggest winners.
Announcing the measures to give Hong Kong service companies the jump on foreign competitors, Jia Qinglin , chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, promised more steps in the years to come to facilitate economic co-operation between the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.
The 15 market-access measures, benefiting companies in 10 sectors, take effect in January. They were announced at a forum marking the third anniversary of the signing of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Cepa). They cover firms in the legal, construction, information technology, convention and exhibition, audiovisual, distribution, tourism, air transport and road transport services, and individually owned stores.
Hong Kong travel agencies operating in Guangdong will be allowed to apply to run tour groups to the city for Guangdong residents. The Hong Kong Tourism Board hailed the measure and Commerce Minister Bo Xilai said there was a huge potential market for mainlanders travelling to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong lawyers qualified to practise on the mainland will be allowed to represent clients in divorce and probate cases with a Hong Kong connection; barristers will be allowed to represent Hong Kong clients in civil cases. The Bar Association and Law Society welcomed the moves as small but positive steps.
In addition, a further 37 categories of products made in Hong Kong can be exported tariff-free to the mainland from tomorrow.
