香港:大灣區企業拓展海外市場首選平台

香港:大灣區企業拓展海外市場首選平台 RCEP 加強區域供應鏈促貿易往來

香港貿易發展局(香港貿發局)與特許公認會計師公會香港分會(ACCA)今日聯合發表的研究報告指出,「區域全面經濟夥伴關係協定」 (RCEP) 為「粵港澳大灣區」企業拓展海外市場增添新動力;而香港作為重要的商貿樞紐,能夠提供多元化的專業服務,是大灣區企業拓展海外業務的理想平台。

香港貿發局研究總監關家明指出,RCEP相關條款最快會在明年實施,進一步推動區域供應鏈的發展和整合,並加速亞洲生產邁向專業化。這不僅促進各RCEP成員國之間的貿易往來,也有利備受疫情打擊的全球經濟重拾增長動力。

報告引述一項調查,差不多所有有意「走出去」拓展海外市場,並在大灣區設點的內地企業均表示需要專業服務,包括產品研發及設計(31%)、銀行融資及項目估值(30%)、品牌設計及營銷策略(30%) 以及法律和會計服務(30%)。過半內地受訪者認為香港是尋求專業服務的境外首選地點,其次為美國(23%)、新加坡(21%)及日本(14%)。東南亞地區包括部份RCEP成員國是這些有意「走出去」的大灣區企業最有興趣的海外投資目的地。

香港成首選專業服務樞紐
根據國家商務部最新資料顯示,二零二零年中國內地首次成為全球最大對外直接投資來源地,對外直接投資總額達到一千五百三十七億美元,年增長12.3%。同期,58%的中國內地對外直接投資經由香港進行,「這些資金大多以香港商貿平台為跳板,投向亞洲及其他海外地區。」

關家明指出,香港雖然尚未成為RCEP一員,但在內地新一輪對外投資中發揮關鍵作用。「香港憑藉在金融、法律、會計等專業服務方面的優勢,可以為內地企業提供專業建議,把在海外擴展業務的風險降至最低。」

他舉例說,當企業考慮轉移生產線或把營銷網絡重新佈局,要先深入了解各地市場的政治、文化、法律和法規;簡單如取消關稅,因各國落實執行時間不同,企業亦未必清楚是否能受惠。「因此,企業若要把握RCEP機遇,專業建議和盡職調查必不可少。」

加強區內貿易
關家明呼籲港商把握RCEP進一步整合區域供應鏈所帶來的機遇,並指隨着RCEP消除貿易壁壘,大多數的原材料及半製成品能夠在成員國之間自由流動,令區域供應鏈更緊密。

「不同行業之間的分工將更加精細明確,預期處於不同生產基地的上下游企業之間的往來將更頻繁。香港有望參與更多RCEP成員國之間的貿易,特別是電子產品及其他工業產品。」

專業服務促企業合作
特許公認會計師公會(ACCA)香港事務總監鄭維雋說:「內地企業在RCEP國家進行投資時,可以通過香港專業項目評估服務引入外部資金,亦可在香港設立區域辦事處,提升項目運作的整體效率。此外,我們亦可提供配對服務,協助企業物色和篩選RCEP的潛在合作夥伴。」

「作為一家蓬勃發展的全球專業會計師組織,ACCA一直致力聯繫我們遍及全球的合作夥伴,促進國際和區域貿易增長。ACCA期望這份研究報告,讓業界加深了解RCEP 機遇,並支援他們在後疫情時代持續復蘇及發展新業務。」


去年十一月,亞洲十五個國家包括澳洲、文萊、柬埔寨、印度、日本、韓國、老撾、中國內地、馬來西亞、緬甸、新西蘭、菲律賓、新加坡、泰國及越南簽訂了「區域全面經濟夥伴關係協定」 (RCEP),組成了全球最大的自由貿易區,佔全球經濟約三分之一。RCEP將通過推出多項促進貿易、取消關稅、減少非關稅壁壘、推動電子商貿和擴大市場准入等新措施,加強成員國之間的經濟一體化水平,創造更多商機。

鄭維雋表示,從過去二十年RCEP的貿易數字看到區內供應鏈合作十分緊密。RCEP將取消大部分關稅,簡化通關手續,並應用累積原則整合不同產地來源規定,其他間接材料、原產地申報等都比較寬鬆,讓RCEP企業可以更容易享受到關稅優惠的安排。

服務貿易和投資方面,RCEP 65%以上服務領域將對外資全部開放。「RCEP通常採用負面清單加上國民待遇的模式,很大程度降低了外商投資經濟風險,同時也擴大了市場准入包括金融業、專業服務等比較熱門的領域。」她補充說。

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Hong Kong: launch pad for GBA companies going global RCEP strengthens intra-regional supply chain

Hong Kong is the ideal platform for mainland Chinese businesses in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) using the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) to go global, according to a joint report released by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) today.

HKTDC Director of Research Nicholas Kwan said RCEP provisions, which are expected to take effect as early as next year, are set to further develop and integrate regional supply chains, as well as encouraging production specialisation in Asia. “This will provide a fresh impetus not only to trade between the signatory countries, but also to the global economy which has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

The report covers a survey which found that Hong Kong is the first port of call for mainland GBA companies seeking assistance as they “go out” (meaning “expand internationally”). The most attractive overseas destinations were Southeast Asian countries, including RCEP members.

Almost all mainland GBA companies that were interested in “going out” needed professional services, the survey found, including product development and design (31%), banking, financing and project valuation (30%), brand design and marketing strategies (30%) and related legal and accounting services (30%). Half of these respondents preferred Hong Kong as professional services source outside the mainland, followed by the United States (23%), Singapore (21%) and Japan (14%).

Preferred services hub
The mainland became the world’s largest foreign direct investment (FDI) source for the first time in 2020 as outbound FDI rose 12.3% to US$153.7 billion, of which 58% was channelled through Hong Kong, according to the Ministry of Commerce. “Most mainland investments were made through the Hong Kong business platform, which served as a springboard to the rest of Asia and other regions,” Mr Kwan said.

Hong Kong had yet to become a RCEP member but the city can play a key role in the latest round of mainland outbound investment into other RCEP markets, Mr Kwan said. “Given the city’s strengths in financial, legal, accounting, and other professional services, Hong Kong can help mainland companies in the GBA minimise risks during overseas expansion.”

Enterprises considering relocating production or sales networks to the RCEP region needed a thorough understanding of the local political environment, culture, legal and regulatory regimes, he added. Otherwise, he said, they may find it difficult to assess the situation, such as whether they are able to benefit from RCEP tariff concessions as implementation schedules vary between member countries. “Therefore, companies need professional advice and due diligence to be able to fully capitalise on RCEP opportunities,” he advised.

Strengthening intra-regional trade
Mr Kwan also called on Hong Kong companies to leverage RCEP opportunities, stressing that intra-regional supply chain ties will strengthen as most raw materials and intermediate products can be traded freely within the bloc.

“The division of labour between different industries will be more precise and clear-cut, while exchanges between upstream and downstream enterprises in different production bases are expected to become more frequent. As such, Hong Kong can expect to play a larger role in trade between RCEP members, especially in electronic products and other industrial items.” Mr Kwan added.

World-class professional services
“When raising funds for investment in RCEP countries, mainland enterprises can use Hong Kong’s professional project evaluation and sustainability assessment services. They can also set up regional offices in the city to enhance overall operational efficiency. In addition, Hong Kong also offers matching services to help mainland companies identify and screen potential business partners in the RCEP region.” said Head of ACCA Hong Kong, Jane Cheng said.

“Having a thriving global community of accounting professionals, ACCA has long been committed to connecting the world and promoting international and intra-regional trade growth. We hope the report will give local industries a better understanding of RCEP opportunities and support them in achieving sustainable recovery and development both during and after the pandemic,” she added.

Fresh RCEP opportunities
RCEP, signed in November 2020, is a free trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, the mainland, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The world’s largest free-trade bloc, making up almost a third of the global economy, has measures to facilitate trade, eliminate tariffs, minimise non-tariff barriers, promote e-commerce and increase market access which are expected to enhance members’ economic integration.

Noting there had already been close intraregional cooperation along supply chains in the past two decades, Ms Cheng said enterprises in the Asia Pacific could now benefit from RCEP, where most import tariffs between member countries will be abolished, customs clearance will be simplified, the principle of accumulation will apply to product-origin rules, and declaration regulations for indirect materials and origins will be relaxed.

On services trade and investment, 65% of the bloc’s services sectors are set to open to overseas investors. “In general, RCEP countries use the ‘negative list’ and ‘national treatment’ models, greatly reducing the risk for overseas investors while allowing them greater access to promising markets such as financial and professional services sectors,” Ms Cheng added.

Source: HKTDC