CE conducts his last day visit to India (with photos/videos)

CE conducts his last day visit to India (with photos/videos)
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     The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, conducted his last day visit to India today (October 29).

     In the morning, the Chief Executive addressed a forum "Hong Kong: Gateway to China and East Asia" co-organised by HSBC India and The Economic Times.

     Highlighting the strengths of Hong Kong as an international business and financial centre, Mr Tsang encouraged Indian firms to set up their bases in the city and take advantage of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, the unique free trade pact between Hong Kong and the Mainland, to expand business.

     A similar message was given in the business luncheon co-organised by the Indian Banks' Association and the Indian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong. The Chief Executive appealed to the business leaders to make full use of Hong Kong's competitive advantages in areas such as asset management, offshore Renminbi business and capital formation functions.

     "What sets Hong Kong apart in the region is its ability to converge the unique 'China advantages' and 'global advantages' and generate an ever changing range of new products and services that has benefited not only Hong Kong and the Mainland of China, but also the rest of the world.

     "This reinforces Hong Kong's status as the preferred platform to carry out both China-related activities in the global financial arena, and also global operations in the Greater China market," he said.

     At a meeting in the afternoon with the Governor of Maharashtra State, Mr Kateekal Sankaranarayanan, the Chief Executive introduced Hong Kong's business-friendly environment and its advantage as an ideal springboard to gain access to markets in Mainland China.

     In the evening, Mr Tsang will meet the Chief Minister of Maharashtra State, Mr Ashok Shankarrao Chavan.

     The Chief Executive will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning and then depart for Shanghai to attend the closing events of Expo 2010 Shanghai China.　

Ends/Friday, October 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:24

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