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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, yesterday (October 20, Paris time) started his visit to Paris.
In the morning, Mr Tsang called on the Chairman of the French Banking Federation, Mr Francois Perol, and exchanged views with him on the global economic situation in general and the issues confronting the euro zone banking sector in particular.
After the meeting, Mr Tsang attended a business luncheon co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Also present at the luncheon was the French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Mrs Anne-Marie Idrac.
In the afternoon, the Financial Secretary had a tour of the trading floor of Euronext Paris where he met its chairman, Mr Dominique Cerutti.
He then went to the Chinese Embassy and met Ambassador Kong Quan.
This was followed by a meeting with members of MEDEF International, the French business confederation, whom he briefed on business opportunities open to French companies in Hong Kong.
Mr Tsang concluded the day by meeting the President of the French Institute of Foreign Relations, Mr Thierry de Montbrial, over dinner.
The Financial Secretary will sign a Comprehensive Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation with his French counterpart, the Minister of Finance, Economy and Employment, Mrs Christine Lagarde, on October 21.
He will then address the plenary meeting of the Hong Kong France Business Partnership at the National Assembly before leaving Paris for Hong Kong.
Ends/Thursday, October 21, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:38
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