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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (December 16) ended his four-day visit in Hanoi, during which he met a number of senior government officials and business leaders to gain first-hand knowledge of the economic situation and business environment of Vietnam.
Leading a business delegation, Mr Tsang arrived in Vietnam after a visit to Nanning, Guangxi, by going through the Friendship Gate at the China/Vietnam border on December 13.
During his stay in Hanoi, Mr Tsang met the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Sinh Hung; the Vice-Minister of Industry and Trade, Dr Do Huu Hao; the Vice-Minister of Planning and Investment of Vietnam, Mr Truong Van Doan and the Vice-Minister of Finance, Mr Do Hoang Anh Tuan.
He had an exchange with directors and members of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry on business opportunities in the country.
He also met the Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Toan Thang, and called on the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Sun Guoxiang.
Mr Tsang and his delegation were given a briefing by HSBC Vietnam on the economic outlook and investment environment of Vietnam and they made a site visit to the Thang Long Industrial Park.
Today (December 16), the Financial Secretary and the Vietnamese Vice-Minister of Finance signed the Comprehensive Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation between Hong Kong and Vietnam. The agreement serves the mutual interest of the two sides by offering a higher degree of certainty on taxation rights of the two contracting parties and will become an added incentive for companies in Vietnam to do business in Hong Kong and vice versa.
After the signing ceremony, Mr Tsang delivered a keynote speech entitled ¡§Hong Kong ¡V Your Regional Partner for Success¡¨ at a Hong Kong business seminar organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
In the evening, he officiated at Dragonair¡¦s Inaugural Gala Dinner to celebrate its new air service between Hong Kong and Hanoi.
Mr Tsang will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning (December 17).
Ends/Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:48
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