GUANGZHOU, China--()--On November 8, the 2024 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area took place in Guangzhou, gathering leaders from 650 Fortune Global 500 companies and representatives from 89 countries. Co-hosted by Guangdong and the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, the event showcased the region’s progress and investment potential five years after the launch of the Greater Bay Area Development Plan.

Huang Kunming, Party Secretary of Guangdong, opened the conference with a keynote address, inviting global investors and talents to collaborate in advancing the GBA’s status as a leading hub for innovation and connectivity. “Over the past five years, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao have forged new ties in industry and technology. We welcome partners worldwide to join us in building a world-class bay area,” he said.

Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao reiterated China's commitment to supporting the GBA’s high-level development, pledging further integration efforts across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. Speaking on Hong Kong’s role, Chief Executive John Lee emphasized the city’s goal of becoming a global financial, shipping, and trading center, attracting international investment by enhancing regional connectivity and economic collaboration. Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng highlighted Macao’s unique status as a free port and platform for Sino-Portuguese cooperation, emphasizing its alignment with international business standards.

Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong shared that Guangdong ranks first in regional innovation capabilities and serves as an incubator for new technologies and business models. “Our business environment continues to lead, recognized for four consecutive years as the best in China,” Wang stated, noting that ecological and green development are core to the province's growth strategy.

The conference received positive responses from global business leaders, including BASF’s CEO Markus Kamieth, Wilmar International’s Chairman Kuok Khoon Hong, and Exxon Mobil’s CEO Darren W. Woods, who shared their experiences and visions for investment in the GBA. The event facilitated 1,933 projects, with a total investment of 2.26 trillion yuan, adding to the region’s dynamic growth. Notably, 76.8 percent of projects from past conferences have started, amounting to over 1 trillion yuan in progress.

As part of the event, Wang Weizhong led a roundtable for multinational executives to exchange insights on investment and operational plans, providing an open forum to discuss business interests and receive feedback for future development in the GBA.