Champion of the Competition was Zhongshan University (Guangzhou), and the second runner-up was The University of Hong Kong. Other participating universities were HKUST, Polytechnic University, Baptist University, City University and Lingnan University and Jinan University from Guangzhou. The CUHK team members are: Carmen Lai Ka Ma,

Winnie Lee Wing Yan, Lei Ah Yung, Lenni Tse Man Yi and Mandy Wong Hei Man. All are final year students of the Professional Accountancy Programme.

This is the fourth Inter-tertiary Competition organized by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Hong Kong. It aims at challenging students’ business acumen, analytical skills and innovation by developing a practical business case “Vision and Fusion in the Pearl River Delta”. Contesting teams were required to write an investment proposal to solicit an investment fund of HK$10 million from potential investors for starting up a new business in the Pearl River Delta Region.

In-depth research and analysis by the CUHK team revealed that there is an increasing demand for foreign cosmetic brands by women in Shenzhen. Furthermore, China’s accession to the WTO will result in a considerable drop in customs and abolition of import quotas, thus enhancing the business opportunity for the beauty industry. The team decided, therefore, to help “Bravo Aria Paris”, a French cosmetic brand, to enter the Shenzhen market. Based on the team’s business plan, the company should be able to achieve 20% profit after six months of the launch.

This interesting and well-written presentation won the acclaim of the judges who also praised the team for their creative and feasible plan.

Professor James Xie, Director of CUHK’s School of Accountancy was delighted with the result. “I feel very happy for and proud of our students. They have worked very hard and did a great job in their research and analysis of information, creative approach and oral presentation. They also demonstrated excellent team work,” he said.

Ms Carmen Lai Ka Man, team leader said that it had been a very rewarding experience, “It was a valuable opportunity to practise what we have learned in the classroom, such as analytical and presentation skills, team work and time management. We learned so much about the China market, especially the Pearl River Delta, as well as interaction with the judges and other teams.”

The adjudication members comprise Mr. K.C. Law, President of ACCA Hong Kong; Mr. Francis Lau, Executive Director of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong; Mr. Eugene Fung, Assistant Director-General of Trade and Industry Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Mr. K.O. Chia, Ex-Co Member of The Hong Kong Venture Capital Association and Ms Rita Liu, Financial Controller of Standard Chartered Bank.

As the first runner-up, the CUHK team won a cash award of HK$7,000 as well as a trophy.