The Guangdong FTZ covers 116.2 square kilometers of area in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

SHENZHEN – The Guangdong government announced on Tuesday a series of new measures to promote convenient investment in the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, providing many preferential policies for Hong Kong and Macao investors. 

The document says the Guangdong provincial government supports Hong Kong and Macao tourism service providers’ efforts to establish travel agencies in the zone and will optimize the examination and approval process to facilitate their respective operations. 

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Improving the ease of importing pharmaceutical products into Guangdong is also a key to the reform. It proposes building an international health-products trading platform in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 

The establishment of the Guangzhou Futures Exchange is expected to pioneer China's green finance sectors 

Guangdong health care organizations are encouraged to import urgently needed drugs and medical devices from Hong Kong and Macao, and the Guangdong FTZ will serve as an import and export hub of medical products. The authority also supports the Qianhai and Shekou Area of the Shenzhen part of the FTZ as the area seeks to establish a dedicated port of imported new drugs and biological products. 

The document also highlights embedding the Guangzhou Futures Exchange with high standards and strengthening its cooperation with bourses in Hong Kong and Shenzhen with the goal of attracting more international investors. 

The futures categories will be enhanced, and authorities are researching the possibility of listing unique products that are in accordance with the development of Guangdong FTZ. 

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The establishment of the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, approved by the central government in January and set up in April 2021, is expected to pioneer China's green finance sectors. 

The Guangdong FTZ, covering 116.2 square kilometers in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, was formally approved by the State Council and established in 2014. It has become a demonstrative area for in-depth collaboration between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. 

Contact the writer at grace@chinadailyhk.com