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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, started the first leg of his visit to Europe in Brussels on September 8, Brussels time.
On arrival in the city, Mr Tsang called on the President of the European Council, Mr Herman Van Rompuy; the Minister-President of the Walloon Region and the French Community, Mr Rudy Demotte; and the Crown Prince Philippe.
The Chief Executive exchanged views with Mr Van Rompuy on the global financial situation and the economic developments of China.
Mr Tsang also updated Mr Van Rompuy on Hong Kong's latest situation and encouraged European businesses to capitalise on Hong Kong's premier position as an international financial centre at the doorstep of Mainland China.
On the evening of September 8, while addressing the 25th anniversary gala dinner of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, the Chief Executive encouraged Belgian entrepreneurs to explore ways they could benefit from Hong Kong's growth sectors.
"Mainland China is now the world's second largest economy. As China's global financial centre, Hong Kong can, and will, take full advantage of this new economic landscape," Mr Tsang said.
Mr Tsang cited examples of how closer financial co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland is good for the city, the nation and all trading partners such as Belgium.
"The establishment of a Renminbi bond market in Hong Kong in 2007 gives foreign firms, including Belgian enterprises, an opportunity to raise capital in Renminbi.
"In the first half of this year, there were 38 Renminbi bond issuances in Hong Kong. The total amount raised was almost 43 billion Renminbi, or about 4.7 billion Euros. That exceeds the total amount for the whole of last year," the Chief Executive said.
"Also, companies listing on the Hong Kong stock market, attract investors not only from Hong Kong but also from the Mainland and the rest of the world."
Mr Tsang will today (September 9, Brussels time) attend a working breakfast with the Belgian business leaders and meet the Prime Minister, Mr Yves Leterme; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Steven Vanackere. Mr Tsang will also meet the Minister President of the Flemish Government, Mr Kris Peeters; the President of the Chamber of Representatives of the Belgian Federal Parliament, Mr Andre Flahaut; and the Commissioner for Trade, European Commission, Mr Karel De Gucht.
On September 10, the Chief Executive will officiate at the opening ceremony of the Dragon Boat Festival in Antwerp.
The European Union (EU) en bloc is the second largest trading partner of Hong Kong. Bilateral trade reached almost US$76 billion last year, with a 18 percent year-on-year growth in the first five months of this year.
Belgium is Hong Kong's sixth largest trading partner among the 27 EU Member States. Bilateral trade last year accounted for US$5 billion. It grew strongly by 41 percent year-on-year in the first five months of this year.
Ends/Friday, September 9, 2011
Issued at HKT 10:22
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