************************************************************
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Brussels last night (February 8 Central European Time) held a reception in Milan, one of nine events it is hosting in Europe over the next month to mark the start of the Year of the Tiger.
The popular annual celebrations will provide the opportunity for the Brussels HKETO to renew ties with officials from the European Union institutions, national and local governments, businessmen, journalists and academics in some of Europe's capitals and main cities.
A cultural performance by outstanding actor Wong Tsz Kwan, specialised in the traditional dramatic art of 'face-changing', will feature at the receptions in Paris, Brussels and The Hague.
Speaking at the Milan reception, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Mary Chow, updated guests on the latest developments in Hong Kong and the Government's measures to alleviate the impact of the global financial crisis.
"The Year of the Tiger is said to be one filled with changes, technological advances and opportunities. Hong Kong certainly wants to take full advantage of these changes and will implement appropriate measures to get itself well-prepared."
Noting that Italy and Hong Kong already had close business ties, Miss Chow said the removal of the import duty on wine in 2008 and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for co-operation in wine-related business in May 2009 had opened a whole new chapter in relations between the two places.
"The MOU covers the promotion of wine trading, investment, wine-related tourism as well as wine education and appreciation. We were delighted when Vinitaly staged its first wine roadshow in Hong Kong last November."
The nine European capitals and major cities where the Brussels ETO is hosting Chinese New Year events over a six-week period are Milan, Dublin, The Hague, Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg, Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon.
Ends/Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:43
NNNN
