The central government will implement measures to encourage greater cooperation between mainland and Hong Kong enterprises and to tap opportunities in the international market, Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday — the second day of his official visit to Hong Kong.

Speaking at the Forum on the National 12th Five-Year Plan and Economic, Trade and Financial Cooperation and Development Between the Mainland and Hong Kong, he unveiled six new policies to support the SAR.

Beijing will grant more preferential policies to facilitate joint efforts between enterprises on both sides of the border, to take advantage of Hong Kong’s special advantages in areas such as finance, law, accounting and investment consulting.

The policy support will cover areas such as project presentation, investment, information exchange, training and talent with the aim of “actively directing mainland enterprises and Hong Kong enterprises when working together to explore the international market and establish global marketing and sales networks,” Li said, adding that “efforts like joint investment, joint bidding and joint contracting when pitching for investment and infrastructure projects will be actively encouraged”.

At a forum organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants in July, Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen said Hong Kong will play a greater role in the future to provide guidance and leadership for mainland enterprises seeking to step on to the international stage, because foreign players are more familiar with Hong Kong’s established systems and they trust them. At the same time, he noted, Hong Kong people enjoy the advantage of understanding the language and culture of their mainland partners.

Hong Kong has become an important storefront for mainland enterprises eyeing wider markets outside the domestic arena, both in terms of capital and trade.

By the end of July, there were 616 mainland companies listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, representing 42 percent of total listed companies and 55 percent of total market capitalization.

The mainland has always been Hong Kong’s largest trading partner. In 2010, total cross-border trade between the two exceeded $230 billion — up 24.5 percent from the previous year. Half of the goods imported by Hong Kong were to be re-exported to other parts of the world.

Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Chairman Anthony Wu said that to the business community, the policies announced by the vice-premier are supportive and encouraging moves which will help to promote closer economic and trade relationships between Hong Kong and the mainland, while enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness.

Federation of Hong Kong Industries Chairman Roy Chung Chi-ping believes that strong support from the central government will boost Hong Kong’s confidence as it weathers global economic volatility.

Chung said the federation welcomes Beijing’s support aimed at strengthening Hong Kong’s technology and innovation capabilities. The Hong Kong branch of the Chinese National Engineering Research Center will see closer ties between technology talents and enterprises on both sides, boding well for Hong Kong to develop into a high-tech center, he said.