On November 8, the 2024 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was held in Guangzhou, attracting leaders from 650 Fortune Global 500 companies and representatives from 89 countries. Co-organized by Guangdong and the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, the conference highlighted the region’s advancements and investment opportunities five years after the launch of the Greater Bay Area Development Plan.
Huang Kunming, Party Secretary of Guangdong, delivered the opening keynote, inviting global investors and talent to join efforts in enhancing the GBA’s position as a leading innovation and connectivity hub. “Over the past five years, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao have strengthened ties in industry and technology. We welcome global partners to collaborate in building a world-class bay area,” he stated.
Wang Wentao, China’s Minister of Commerce, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting the GBA’s high-level development and called for further integration across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, highlighted the city’s ambition to become a global center for finance, shipping, and trade, focusing on attracting international investment through enhanced regional connectivity and economic collaboration. Macao’s Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, emphasized Macao’s unique role as a free port and a platform for Sino-Portuguese cooperation, aligning with international business standards.
Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong shared that the province leads in regional innovation capabilities, serving as a hub for new technologies and business models. “Guangdong continues to be recognized for its top-tier business environment, ranking first in China for four consecutive years,” Wang remarked, noting that ecological and green development are central to the province’s growth strategy.
The conference received strong support from global business leaders, including BASF CEO Markus Kamieth, Wilmar International Chairman Kuok Khoon Hong, and ExxonMobil CEO Darren W. Woods, who shared insights on investment opportunities in the GBA. The event facilitated 1,933 projects with a total investment of 2.26 trillion yuan, further boosting the region’s economic growth. Notably, 76.8% of the projects from past conferences have been initiated, totaling over 1 trillion yuan in progress.
As part of the event, Governor Wang Weizhong hosted a roundtable with multinational executives, fostering an open dialogue on investment strategies and operational plans, while gathering valuable feedback for future development in the GBA.