SCED hosts mixed drink reception to provide upgrade on abroad ETOs’ and Mainland Offices’ continuous efforts in promoting strengths and chances of Hong Kong (with images)
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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, today (November 11) hosted a mixed drink reception for about 200 visitors, consisting of members of the Executive Council, authorities from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of individuals’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, agents from consuls in Hong Kong, chambers of commerce, significant trade associations and the arts and cultural markets, in addition to pertinent federal government board and committee members, to upgrade them on the continuous efforts of the abroad Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) and the Mainland Offices in promoting Hong Kong’s varied strengths and chances.
The reception was held throughout the return of the Heads of the 14 ETOs and 5 Mainland Offices (HETOs) to Hong Kong for the yearly conference of HETOs.
Speaking at the reception, Mr Yau stated that in spite of the relentless unpredictabilities in the international economy and trade emerging from magnifying geopolitical stress, Hong Kong continued to show strength. The ETOs, being the frontline agents of the HKSAR Government accountable for promoting trade and financial investment ties in between Hong Kong and its significant trading partners, along with the main agent to secure Hong Kong’s financial and trade interests abroad, play a more crucial function than ever.
Mr Yau stated that to more utilize Hong Kong’s special benefits of delighting in strong assistance of the motherland and being carefully linked to the world under the “one country, two systems” concept, this year’s Policy Address has actually advanced a selection of efforts to proactively check out brand-new financial development locations to boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness and global impact. He informed the visitors on the steps that are especially appropriate to the work of the ETOs and the Mainland Offices, consisting of the facility of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to supply one-stop personalized assistance services to Mainland business venturing overseas through Hong Kong; proactively supporting regional little and medium-sized business and start-ups in checking out high-potential markets and the organisation of abroad organization objectives through the brand-new practical platform “Economic and Trade Express”; along with creating bundles of preferential policies covering land grants, land premiums, monetary aids and tax rewards to bring in high value-added markets and high-potential business to establish organizations in Hong Kong, especially in the Northern Metropolis.
Mr Yau included that to additional broaden Hong Kong’s circle of pals in trade, the Government has actually been actively looking for to co-operate with trading partners to deepen Hong Kong’s global financial and trade networks through creating open market contracts (FTAs), financial investment contracts and memoranda of understanding. In specific, the Government has actually been proactively looking for Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s biggest FTA. In addition, the Chief Executive checked out 12 Belt and Road nations in the previous 3 years. Principal authorities of the HKSAR Government likewise carried out different gos to with the necessary assistance offered by the ETOs and the Mainland Offices to reinforce the financial and trade network of Hong Kong.
Mr Yau stressed that the Government will continue to broaden the network of ETOs to cover emerging markets with high financial capacity. He showed the visitors that the Hong Kong ETO in Kuala Lumpur will start operation this year, and the protection of the ETOs in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) area will be broadened to more deepen Hong Kong’s deal with financial and trade promo in ASEAN and neighbouring nations.
Looking forward, Mr Yau kept in mind that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026 will be kept in Shenzhen, which will assist promote the huge chances in the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong will continue to completely take part in the GBA advancement and actively combine the city’s position as a global trade centre and a local copyright trading centre.
In concluding, Mr Yau gotten in touch with all sectors to continue supporting the work of the ETOs and the Mainland Offices. He likewise seized the day to interest all members of the organisations and associations to cast their votes on the ballot day of the Legislative Council General Election on December 7, exercising their civic rights to choose a brand-new regard to accountable, visionary and capable members of the Legislative Council.