HWL chairman, Mr Li Ka-Shing, said after HWL’s AGM on 25 May 2012: “Provided there is no incident in the Euro zone, our earnings will be better than last year.”
He added that European markets had been studied well before the group invested there and that regardless of what happens, “it won’t be a big problem.”
The group’s AGM revealed that port businesses are performing well and that overall group business should improve – although the same growth as before cannot be guaranteed in the current climate.
In terms of future investment, HWL will be continuing to invest in Hong Kong, provided there are suitable opportunities – if there aren’t any Mr Li confirmed the group will be looking overseas.
Hong Kong business currently contributes to around 16% of HWL’s overall business portfolio worldwide – but according to the chairman, business there is not always easy.
Continuing issues surrounding the changes in political environment after the handover and the minimum wage are controversial – HWL maintain it’s still a favourable business environment though because Hong Kong’s business will “definitely not decrease.”
Indeed, Mr Li reflected that there are many opportunities in mainland China. He said that if the SAR Government and the national government can work well together in future, more jobs, business opportunities and technological advances can be created across all markets.