******************************************************
One of Hong Kong's strategies to tackle the economic challenges is to further strengthen trade and investment relations with mainland China and with its partners in the region including Japan.
This was stated by the Principal Trade and Economic Representative (Tokyo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mrs Jennie Chok, during a business seminar in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, today (November 5).
Attended by more than 150 local business leaders and government officials, the seminar was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office to promote economic and trade links between Shizuoka and Hong Kong.
Mrs Chok said that in the current global economic downturn, China was generally recognised as the main source of growth.
She said Hong Kong, being a major gateway to and from China, and supported by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, was in the best position to benefit from the opportunities in the huge Mainland market.
Noting that more than 6,400 overseas enterprises, including 1,100 Japanese companies, had already set up subsidiaries in Hong Kong, she called on Japanese enterprises to take advantage of the excellent business environment and opportunities available in Hong Kong.
On the opening of the Shizuoka Airport earlier this year, Mrs Chok said it opened up the possibility of direct flight connection between Shizuoka and Hong Kong that would bring the peoples of the two places closer together.
She said Shizuoka was well known for the production of industrial products ranging from motorcycles and pianos to plastic models as well as tea, oranges, fish, shrimps and wasabi.
To further promote these products overseas, Mrs Chok called on Shizuoka businessmen to consider taking advantage of the numerous large scale trade fairs that were hosted throughout the year in Hong Kong.
"For example, a Hong Kong International Tea Fair will be held in August 2010, with tea and tea products, tea processing equipment and testing service, tea technology, tea art and tea media, being exhibited by more than 250 international exhibitors," she said.
"Given Shizuoka's fame in producing quality Japanese green tea, surely you should not be absent from this global tea trading platform," she added.
Mrs Chok also took the opportunity to update the audience on the current economic situation of Hong Kong.
She said under the "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement, Hong Kong remained one of the world's financial capitals and a regional hub for trade, commerce, logistics, shipping and tourism.
Also present in the seminar today were the Vice-Governor of Shizuoka, Mr Kenichi Hanamori, and the Regional Director (North Asia) of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Kunio Kano.
Ends/Thursday, November 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:00
NNNN
