Foreign banks see rich pickings in China

Overseas investment may become more of a choice for China's richest families as foreign private banks are looking at offshore opportunities for their Chinese customers to avoid tougher regulations in the country, a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey said.

Space premium in new order

Belgium-based Oleon NV, a leading producer of oleochemicals - chemicals derived from plant and animal fats - has the largest market share in Europe but it was only last year that it launched its first brand in China, with a team of just three people.

Park doesn't rest on laurels

It has long been renowned for its technological innovation and is widely known as China's Silicon Valley, but Zhongguancun, in northwestern Beijing, is now pondering its future.

Spirit of 1958 is alive and well

Firm with roots in bygone age survives thanks to an attitude of sink or swim

New cornerstone for clean energy

It is perhaps ironic that China has some of the world's most polluted cities but has also overtaken the United States as the world's leader in clean-energy investment and technology development.

Efficiency a valued ally in energy drive

Clean energy programs need not be expensive, experts say

Quotable

"The mainland enterprises should further leverage off this bridging role of Hong Kong for their large-scale 'going-out'. Meanwhile, Hong Kong should enhance its role as the bridge, steer clear of negative elements that are unfavorable to the city's economic development, and become more open, free and efficient."

IN BRIEF (Page 18)

Mainland firms snap up HK assets

While some Hong Kong-based blue-chip companies are selling their local business assets, a spate of mainland enterprises are expanding into the city's retail, property and banking sectors in search of business diversification.

City paves way for companies to expand

Mainland companies are trying to capitalize and leverage on the irreplaceable advantages of Hong Kong's bridging role to go global on a large scale, while Hong Kong is also trying to enhance that role, a recent report says.

Banks ally to boost business

Bank of China and the Nedbank Group have entered into a strategic business cooperation agreement to grow business flows between China and Africa.

Prescription for sound growth

Foreign direct investment inflows into China surged during the first seven months of the year on the back of improved economic confidence in Europe and renewed optimism on China's economic growth prospects, experts say.