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The Secretary for Economic Development and Labour and Chairman of the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, Mr Stephen Ip, is leading a logistics promotion mission to Slovakia, Hungary and Estonia to promote the strengths of Hong Kong as a logistics hub in Asia.
The mission will enhance communication and co-operation between industry players in Hong Kong and their counterparts in the three countries. It also aims to impress upon businessmen in Slovakia, Hungary and Estonia the investment opportunities that Hong Kong, as a springboard to Mainland China, was offering.
"Riding on the rapid economic growth in Mainland China and Central Europe, the bilateral trade volume between Hong Kong and Slovakia, Hungary and Estonia has seen a steady growth over the years. We will showcase Hong Kong's logistics advantages to these thriving economies in Central Europe and impress upon them the investment opportunities in Hong Kong and Mainland China," Mr Ip said.
The delegation will meet senior officials of the three governments as well as local chambers of commerce and business leaders.
In Slovakia this morning (April 23, local time), the delegation first called on the State Secretary of Economy, Mr Ivan Rybarik, to share experiences and exchange views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, particularly in logistics, aviation and tourism.
He then met with the State Secretary of Transportation, Posts and Telecommunication, Mr Milan Mojs. Mr Ip and Mr Mojs witnessed the initialling of an Air Services Agreement between the two governments. The signing ceremony is an important step forward in the development of air services between Hong Kong and Slovakia which would help to strengthen links between the two places.
In the afternoon, Mr Ip delivered a keynote address at a seminar on investment opportunities offered by Hong Kong as the premier logistics hub. The seminar was attended by more than 100 local business representatives who were very interested to learn about the business-friendly environment of Hong Kong and investment opportunities that would enhance co-operation between the two places.
The seminar was followed by a media conference attended by local TV stations, newspapers and magazines. Earlier, Mr Ip also gave interviews to a local TV station and magazine on Hong Kong's latest developments.
The delegation also visited the Bratislava Airport to obtain first-hand information on its air-cargo handling facilities.
Mr Ip and delegation members will call on the Foreign Minister, Mr Jan Kubis, tomorrow before departing for Budapest.
Members of the delegation include Legislative Councillor, Ms Miriam Lau; Chairman of the Hong Kong Shippers' Council, Mr Willy Lin; President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, Mr Anthony Lau; Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Stanley Hui; and Executive Director of Hutchison Port Holdings, Mr Eric Ip.
Ends/Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:04
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