Legal advisers help SAR businesses enter Hengqin

Hengqin New Area unveiled a Law Service Center on Nov 8 -- the first of its kind in China -- to assist small- and medium-sized Hong Kong and Macao enterprises wanting to enter the Chinese mainland.

With help at every step of cross-border business, the new center provides registration advice, explains local preferential policies, and interprets laws and regulations to help both sides negotiate a trade contract -- all this to address legal differences between the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao.

The center is operated by ZLF Law Office which has much expertise and practical experience. The first joint venture law firm in China is constituted by three partners -- Beijing-based Zhong Yin Law Firm, Hong Kong-based Fongs Lawyers, and Macao-based Rato, Ling, Lei & Cortés Lawyers.

Hengqin New Area viewed from Macao [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Credited with creating the office is pioneering cooperation between the Zhuhai Justice Bureau and Hengqin New Area Administrative Committee through government purchase.

A service window has opened at the Hengqin New Area Administrative Service Center to enable multi-channel services via online and offline transactions.

More businesses from the Special Administrative Regions (SARs) hoping to get footholds in Hengqin will benefit from the project, said an Administrative Committee official. 

Statistics show that the number of Hengqin-registered SAR businesses has soared to 1,880, with 1,264 of them from Macao, an increase of 40 percent from the end of last year. Hong Kong-funded enterprises have multiplied in the past two years.