She said the Chinese mainland presents a favorable business environment. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a national development blueprint put forward by Premier Li Keqiang, brings together Hong Kong, Macao and nine mainland cities in Guangdong province, allowing them to make full use of each other's strength to achieve success for all.
The blueprint has reaffirmed Hong Kong's role as a connector, Joseph said.
"When AmCham was first established in Hong Kong some 50 years ago, it was about American companies going into the Chinese mainland via Hong Kong. Now things have changed as it involves－Chinese mainland businesses going global through Hong Kong. In this sense, Hong Kong has become a real connector," Joseph explained.
She also offered her thoughts on Hong Kong's other role within the Greater Bay Area－as a professional service provider.
"I think for the Hong Kong community to really understand and appreciate the plan, they have to feel that there is something coming from Hong Kong, not that they are being pushed into the plan.
"Financial services, legal services, accounting, technology and higher education, these are areas (in which) Hong Kong could contribute a lot," Joseph noted.
But to this young blood in the business community, the promising outlook presented by the Greater Bay Area does not necessarily mean a lack of concerns.
The common concern among AmCham members, according to Joseph, is the limited knowledge of the involved mainland cities.
Xie Feng, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, organized a three-day visit in November, inviting foreign consuls in the SAR and representatives from foreign commerce chambers based in the city to get firsthand knowledge of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai－three cities that are located in the Greater Bay Area.
Joseph commended the trip as a good start for foreign businesses to explore the nine involved mainland cities.
The next step is to build more engagement among foreign commerce chambers in Hong Kong, mainland governments and foreign enterprises based in cities within the Greater Bay Area, Joseph said, adding that regular interactions would allow them to understand each city's interests and strengths.
"Matching is important in business. We need to find out what sector we could profit most. And currently, even with the great plan presented in front of us, we are still at the stage of exploring," she said.
