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Hong Kong Commissioner, USA, Mr Donald Tong together with Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Ms Doris Cheung completed a four-day visit to Idaho and Utah today (March 12, San Francisco time). It was the Commissioner's first official visit to the two states after he took up his post as Hong Kong Commissioner last October.
Mr Tong and Ms Cheung met with Idaho Governor, C.L. Otter, who led a trade delegation to Hong Kong in October 2008. The meeting had further strengthened the trade ties between the two places. Hong Kong is Idaho's 10th largest export destination.
While in Boise, Idaho, Mr Tong and Ms Cheung also met with the directors of commerce and agriculture of Idaho, representatives of the US Senator Mike Crapo, and members of Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. Mr Tong also addressed a seminar at the College of Business and Economics, Boise State University.
At a neighbouring state, Utah, Mr Tong and Ms Cheung met with Governor Jon Huntsman; Majority leader of Utah State Senate, Sheldon Killpack and representatives of US Senators Bob Bennet and Orrin Hatch. Governor Huntsman, a former Deputy US Trade Representative, supported the enhancement of the trade relationship between US and Hong Kong.
Mr Tong spoke at a business luncheon, organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and Utah World Trade Centre, updating the Utah business community on the latest developments and business opportunities of Hong Kong. He also made a presentation at a seminar jointly organised by Hinckley Institute of Politics, David Eccles School of Business, Asia Centre and Confucius Institute at the University of Utah.
During the visit, Mr Tong spoke on Hong Kong's economic performance and outlook, as well as how Hong Kong combat the current financial crisis by stabilising the financial market, creating and preserving jobs and supporting enterprises. He also outlined the many trade and investment opportunities that Hong Kong can offer.
Ends/Friday, March 13, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:35
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