Shanghai

Doing business in the Greater Bay Area

A global hub for technology, innovation, and more...
We help you from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

About the Greater Bay Area

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a national strategic initiative aiming at transforming nine mainland China cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Dongguan, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Zhongshan and Foshan and two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao into an international bay, rivalling existing global bays such as San Francisco Bay Area, Tokyo Metropolitan Area, and New York Metropolitan Area.

By leveraging each city’s unique strengths, the Greater Bay Area initiative aims to develop the region into a world-class innovation and technology (I&T) hub and a fast-moving city cluster for emerging industries offering regional competitive advantages on living, working and travelling.

In the Outline Development Plan released by the Chinese government, Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen were prioritised as core engine cities. The relevant Central Government departments and the local governments will jointly take forward the development of the Greater Bay Area.

Four core engine cities of the Greater Bay Area

Playing different roles, the four cities will drive in-depth cooperation within the region, promote coordinated economic development and facilitate the openness of markets to foreign direct investment

  • Hong Kong

    Consolidate and enhance its status as a global financial centre, transportation centre, and trade centre while simultaneously building its capabilities in technology and innovation

  • Macao

    Develop into a world-class tourism and leisure centre as well as a commerce and trade cooperation service platform between China and Lusophone countries

  • Guangzhou

    Fully leverage its advantages of being a national core city, an integrated gateway city, and enhance its function as technological, educational and cultural centres to develop into a global metropolis

  • Shenzhen

    Transform into a modern capital of innovation and creativity with global influence by leveraging its leading role as a special economic zone and a national innovation city

Unprecedented business opportunities from focus sectors

The Greater Bay Area values green finance, ecological conservation, infrastructural connectivity and high-quality life. Sectors such as financial services, medical services, professional services, transportation and logistics, and environmental protection and sustainable development are planned to be a priority development focus.

Technology and Innovation

  • Support the development of technological infrastructure in Hong Kong and Shenzhen
  • Foster the flow of technology talent and resources and facilitate R&D collaboration

Financial Services

  • Promote capital flows by expanding the scale, scope, and channels of cross-boundary use of RMB
  • Promote connections between electronic payment systems in the region and promote cross-boundary investment products and channels for individuals

Medical Services

  • Improve coordination mechanism on emergency medical rescue services
  • Promote the integration of medical and elderly care for Hong Kong and Macao residents to retire in Guangdong

Professional Services

  • Enhance exchange amongst construction and related engineering professionals and enterprises
  • Introduce more pilot projects in the experimental zones of Qianhai of Shenzhen, Nansha of Guangzhou, and Hengqin of Zhuhai

Transportation and Logistics

  • Connect with the national high-speed rail network and significantly shorten the travelling time amongst the GBA cities
  • Further, expand the Greater Bay Area's domestic and international aviation networks

Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development

  • Cooperate on the management of water resources and water environment
  • Nurture and develop industries related to new energy, energy conservation, and environmental protection

*(Source: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area - Development Focus - Policy Areas)


    Why expand to the Greater Bay Area with Hawksford?

    Expanding into a new market can be a lengthy process full of uncertainties. It is a real challenge for foreign companies to meet all compliance requirements by themselves in China's fast-evolving regulatory environment. Guidance from a trusted partner with local knowledge and deep industry experience will make expansion easy and accelerate business growth.

    Tax Compliance


    In-depth know-how

    Hawksford has assisted companies from a wealth of sectors to successfully start a business in the Greater Bay Area. We ensure that your business has the right structure, and the operation is compliant with local regulations.


    Trusted

    90+ multilingual professionals

    Over 90 multilingual professionals who are fluent in 8 languages are based in three offices across the Greater Bay Area – Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. We communicate with your local operations team and global management team in your native languages.


    Expert Team

    One dedicated account manager

    Whether your business is in one of the mainland cities or in a special administrative region, one of our dedicated account managers will take on the burden of liaising with the team and deliver efficient communications through one window.


    How can we help you with your business?

    We facilitate businesses worldwide to tap into the Greater Bay Area and ensure that statutory and regulatory compliance are met.

    We provide you with efficient corporate services, advisory on tax policies, assistance with on-going compliance requirements and support on accounting and payroll management. 

    • We provide company formation services, including the incorporation of Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprises, Representative Offices and Joint Ventures in mainland China, incorporation of Hong Kong Limited Companies, Representative Offices, subsidiaries of foreign corporations, branches for overseas companies, and Sole Proprietorship in Hong Kong.

    • Our company secretariats and administrators can assist clients with understanding compliance with local regulations, ensuring compliance with statutory deadlines and procedures, safekeeping, updating, maintaining registers, minutes book, and other statutory records of the company.

    • We provide our professional assistance in corporate and personal tax filing and tax optimisation strategy advice. In addition, we provide data entry of your bookkeeping records, reconciliation of bank statements, accounts receivables, accounts payable, and preparation and consolidation of accounting reports and financial statements.

    • We provide employees with salary statutory deductions calculation, payment arrangements to employees and statutory authorities, expense reimbursement arrangements, employee benefits computation, determination of final payment upon termination of an employee, preparation of year-end tax forms for employees, and preparation of personal tax returns.

    • Appointing Hawksford to act as a Temporary CFO for your business provides all the capabilities of an accounting department at a fraction of the cost of an in-house solution.

    • Hawksford helps entrepreneurs and foreign firms navigate Hong Kong’s immigration regulations when they require the service for themselves, their families, or their staff. We take time to review each case beforehand to guide you appropriately through the application process.

    Contact us

    Grow your business with our expertise

    Francesco Montonati

    Director

    Hong Kong
    Dario Marotta

    Senior Associate

    Guangzhou
    Kelly Lee

    Associate

    Hong Kong

    GBA

    Insights & guides:

    Greater Bay Area: your next destination on China business expansion road map 

    As one of the most attractive regions to establish or invest in a business in China, the Greater Bay Area provides a wide range of business support programs and financial incentives to foster the region’s growth.
     

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    Understanding Tax Incentives and Intellectual Property Rights in the Greater Bay Area

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    How to start a business in the Greater Bay Area?

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