A forum for Shaanxi and Hong Kong to jointly explore the international market was held on Monday in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province, with the aim of further promoting trade and economic development in both regions.

The forum was sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Shaanxi Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Commerce. The HKTDC showcased Hong Kong's business platform, international market development opportunities and explained how Shaanxi companies could expand their overseas markets.

Fred Lam, executive director of HKTDC, told the 350 representatives of Shaanxi companies attending the forum that the province’s rapid economic development and its key position as a high-tech industrial base and commercial and trade center in western China provided many investment opportunities for Hong Kong businesses and created opportunities for cooperation with Hong Kong's research institutes and skilled technical staff.

Lam said he hoped that enterprises in Shaanxi province could better use Hong Kong's business platform and strengthen their cooperation with the Hong Kong service industry to jointly expand overseas markets.

Yao Chaoying, director of the provincial department of commerce, said Shaanxi pays much attention to its cooperation with the HKTDC and will endeavor to strengthen the ties to further promote trade and economic development for both sides.