The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a focal point for hi-tech development, know-how transfer, and growth. It's a very interesting opportunity for high-tech start-ups to access an experienced market here and gain exposure to the global international market, said Dário Silva, Chairman of the Board of PorCham Greater China and Chairman of China Portugal International Trade & Investment Cooperation Center, in an exclusive interview with GDToday.

Thanks to the high-quality development of Guangdong, many international companies and Chambers of Commerce, including the PorCham Greater China, have been paying much attention to the province and the GBA.

"Guangdong province is developing very fast and transforming its business environment. Many international companies are now looking at Guangdong, as there is a lot of interest in all the economic transformation happening here, such as reducing costs for companies and attracting new technologies," Silva remarked on the province's latest high-quality development.

Silva pointed out that the province is most attractive to foreign investors due to its innovation appeal, local support, financing model, and exchange of experiences. For example, one of their trade platforms - Six Plus One Technology located at Hengqin - can enjoy incentives such as about a 60% rebate on office rent, among other tax rebates.

The GBA is also under the spotlight for enterprises from Portuguese-Speaking countries (PSCs), especially for those in the hi-tech sector. INFINITE FOUNDRY, a Portuguese company that serves as a 3D digital plant platform, won the "Biggest potential of development in GBA" in the 2023 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Macao) for Technology Enterprises from Brazil and Portugal, added Silva.

The establishment of the China Portuguese International Trade and Investment Cooperation Center in Guangzhou represents another essential move for PorCham to expand business cooperation in Guangdong and the GBA.

For instance, the Center has partnered with Guangdong Nova International Business Services Co. Ltd, a Guangzhou-based service platform that helps Chinese companies go global. In particular, business inspection delegations were organized to find business opportunities in PSCs.

Guangdong is a dynamic area with significant economic influence throughout the entire country. It is also the place where the Portuguese started their relationship with China 500 years ago. "It's natural that we continue this longstanding relationship and tradition, respecting our mutual history," Silva explained the reason for establishing the Center in Guangdong.

He also revealed the future development plan of PorCham and the Center in Guangdong. They are implementing an industrial park in Guangzhou that will operate as a cluster where PSCs companies can share resources for trade, finance, investment, new energy, and cultural exchanges, with a focus on the GBA. "We plan to be a one-stop solution for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market by providing the best guidance, as well as helping Chinese corporations find the right partners and go abroad safely," said Silva.

Regarding the competitive international market, Silva suggested that Guangdong and the GBA can cooperate with organizations like PorCham and the Center to attract new technologies and high-end talent to the area at a faster pace. It would be great to create a public-private partnership between the GBA and international Chambers of Commerce, with a finance program to support the attraction of international companies and help the Chambers of Commerce reduce the costs of their initiatives, he said.