Hong Kong Reception in Hawaii
In November, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco (SFETO) received key Hong Kong government officials who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. On November 11, 2011, the SFETO organized the “Hong Kong Reception” hosted by Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr. Gregory So. The Chief Executive, Mr. Donald Tsang, also attended.
The reception was attended by some 200 local leaders in Honolulu and Hong Kong business heavyweights. In addressing the guests at the reception, Mr. So said that to strengthen regional economic integration and expand trade, the APEC community had looked at ways to address the next-generation trade and investment issues, such as enhancing the participation of small and medium enterprises in global production chains.
“APEC economies have also continued to reduce trade transaction costs and unblock barriers along the supply chain of goods and services.
“We have also agreed to boost regulatory co-operation to further reduce barriers to international trade and investment flows,” said Mr. So.
On trade relations between Hong Kong and the U.S., Mr. So said the two had a long history as close partners in trade and investment – stretching back well over 150 years.
“The United States is our second largest trading partner, and U.S. companies comprise the largest group of international companies in our city by a considerable margin. At last count, some 1,330 U.S. companies were based in Hong Kong – a figure that has grown by 65 per cent over the last decade.
“And of course we welcome more U.S. companies – more Hawaiian companies – to come over to Hong Kong to do business and contribute to our economic mix,” Mr. So said.
Mr. So took the opportunity to appeal to the Hawaiian businessmen to make use of Hong Kong as the platform to do business in Mainland China.
On Hong Kong’s tourism industry, Mr. So said that the city’s vibrancy, cultural diversity and cosmopolitan lifestyle lie at the very core of Hong Kong’s attraction.
“We are investing heavily in tourism infrastructure to continue to upgrade the standard and diversity of our product. Hong Kong Disneyland will open its new Toy Story Land next week and our home-grown attraction, Ocean Park, is forging ahead with ambitious plans for new attractions and accommodation,” he said.
Noting that Hong Kong, being a unique global business hub, financial center, and premier tourist destination, is the best base to access the huge and dynamic market of China, Mr. So invited the guests to visit Hong Kong, to see what Hong Kong has to offer and to experience the buzz and excitement of Asia’s World City.
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