CE's speech at 90th Anniversary National Day Reception (English only)(with photos/video)

CE's speech at 90th Anniversary National Day Reception (English only)(with photos/video)
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     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the 90th anniversary reception of the National Day of Romania at the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong today (December 8):

Consul General (Eduard Romulus) Goean, distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

     Bun? seara. Good evening to you all.

     It is a great pleasure to join you in celebrating the 90th anniversary of the national day of Romania.

     First and foremost, congratulations on the re-opening of the Consulate General of Romania in Hong Kong in May.

     I am confident your presence in our city will open the door to stronger and deeper relations between Hong Kong and Romania for many years to come.

     Strategically located in our regions, Hong Kong and Romania are important entrepots for trade to vast hinterlands. Hong Kong is a gateway to the Mainland of China and a location of choice for overseas businesses in Asia. Romania is at the crossroads of trade between the EU, the Balkans and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).

     Romania's accession to the European Union last year has helped to stimulate economic growth and your country continues to attract record inflows of foreign direct investment through its strategic advantages as well as low taxes and a competitive labour force.

     This is a strong foundation on which to build our two-way trade. Last year, our bilateral trade amounted to HK$1.3 billion. From this relatively low base, imports increased more than 320% in the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year. In the same timeframe, our total re-exports to Romania increased more than 127%.

     I am delighted to see Romanian businesses take part in trade promotion activities in Hong Kong with pavilions at the International Travel Expo in June and at the Vinexpo in May. Romania is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world and there is a growing interest in the wine trade in Hong Kong since we scrapped duties on wine in February this year.

     I encourage Romanian wine merchants to make the most of Hong Kong’s efficient, cost-effective and high quality distribution network for wine in Asia.

     Since the re-opening of the consulate, we have received a number of high-level delegations from Romania. These have included the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament, the General Secretary of the Government of Romania and the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade as well as two delegations representing small and medium enterprise, trade, tourism and liberal professions.

     Next year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Romania and China. As an international business centre and China's most important city for global finance, this milestone provides a fresh incentive to explore new areas for co-operation between Hong Kong and Romania.

     I therefore look forward to closer ties between Romania and Hong Kong, Asia’s world city.

     Once again, Consul General, ladies and gentlemen, congratulations on the 90th anniversary of the national day of Romania.

     May I loudly reciprocate your toast, a toast to the people of Romania.

Ends/Monday, December 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:43

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