Guangdong launches Bay Area qualification service

A one-stop service platform for professional titles and qualifications in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has been launched in Guangdong province.

The platform, based in the Nansha district of Guangzhou, Guangdong's capital, will help Hong Kong and Macao professionals conduct business in Guangdong, Xu Chechun, the director of the platform, said.

In the past, Hong Kong and Macao professionals needed to visit various departments due to the lack of an integrated service, Xu said.

"With the launch of the one-stop service platform, we will provide integrated services for Hong Kong and Macao professionals," Xu said.

It used to be difficult for Hong Kong and Macao engineers to obtain professional titles from mainland authorities, said William Shu Yan, general manager of Huazhong United Design and Consulting (Hengqin).

"We are now able to be beneficiaries of the professional title evaluation policy for Hong Kong and Macao talent in Nansha district," he said. "The one-stop service platform is undoubtedly a great advantage for engineers practicing in the mainland."

Chao Chi-kin, deputy president of the Macao Institute of Engineers, said it would consider the development of projects in Nansha because the platform would make the employment of professionals more convenient.

"Hong Kong and Macao professionals will find it easy to apply for recognized professional titles on the Chinese mainland," he said.

In addition, Guangdong has signed a series of cooperation agreements on social security and legal services with the two special administrative regions.

The human resources and social security authorities in Guangdong have organized national vocational qualification examinations for about 5,000 people in Macao this year.

Guangdong will carry out a pilot project for direct recognition of skilled vocational qualification certificates from Macao, and advanced vocational skill standards with Macao curriculum content will also be introduced, the Guangdong Provincial Human Resources and Social Security Department said.

Last week, cross-border law services between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao were launched in Nansha by the Kingbridge Sun Kuong Law Firm, a joint unit established by lawyers from Guangdong and the two special administrative regions.

Six lawyers from Hong Kong and Macao have obtained professional law certificates after passing qualification examinations in the mainland part of the Bay Area, the law firm said.

"They will hold professional certificates from both the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, providing legal services for businesses in the Greater Bay Area," said Huang Zhiyong, head of the unit.

The firm will focus on legal services covering international trade, finance, cross-border investment, logistics, intellectual property, e-commerce and emerging industries, Huang said.