************************************************************
The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, and the high-level Hong Kong business delegation today (June 4, St Petersburg time) started the second leg of their Russian visit in St Petersburg.
In the morning, the delegation called on the Finance Committee of the city's municipal Government. They were received by committee chairman, Mr Edward Batanov. The two sides exchanged views on trade and financial issues and opportunities for co-operation between the two cities.
In the afternoon, the delegation attended a business luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Speaking at the luncheon, the Financial Secretary gave participants an overall view of Hong Kong's strengths as a business partner for Russian business people.
In the early evening, Mr Tsang attended a state reception hosted in the State Hermitage (the Old Winter Palace) by the chairwoman of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum organising committee, Ms Elvira Nabiullina.
Mr Tsang then attended a dinner reception hosted in his honour by the Chinese Consul General in the city, Mr Tian Erlong.
Ends/Friday, June 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 13:00
NNNN
