Hong Kong companies are expanding their operations in the new Qianhai Free Trade Zone, an area of Shenzhen in Guangdong province.

The move comes after Qianhai became part of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone in April.

Wang Jinxia, spokesman for the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of Shenzhen, said Hong Kong companies have set up production facilities and branches in the area.

"More than 1,400 companies from Hong Kong have now set up their production facilities and branches in Qianhai," Wang said on Wednesday.

Up to 60 percent of the companies are involved in finance, insurance and related industries, he added. "And the figure will certainly reach more than 2,000 this year."

By the end of May, the Qianhai FTZ had attracted outside investment worth more than $10.7 billion ($1.72 billion).

That was a considerable rise on 2103 figures, which revealed that Qianhai attracted only 45 Hong Kong-funded companies and joint ventures.

"Shenzhen have promised to expand co-operation with Hong Kong in constructing Qianhai into a major regional financial center in the southern Chinese area," Wang, who is also the liaison director of Shenzhen Administration of Qianhai Bay Bonded Port, said.

Qianhai hopes to attract companies that can help the area develop its finance, modern logistics, information and high-tech service industries. Preferential policies, including taxation, financing, land use right and customs, have been put in place to attract Hong Kong investors.

Chen Weiping, president of Qianhai Sub-Branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, said the establishment of Qianhai FTZ has provided a myriad of opportunities.

"There is great potential for the finance sector in Qianhai," he added. "The area can become a major regional financial center."

Covering an area of 14.92 square kilometers, Qianhai plans to provide more than 650,000 employment opportunities in the years ahead.