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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), Berlin organised an annual reception in Bern on June 7 (Bern time) on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
In his welcoming remarks, the Director of the HKETO, Berlin, Mr Ivan Lee, underlined Hong Kong's role as Asia's business capital. "Hong Kong has taken advantage of its unique geopolitical position and special relationship with Mainland China to build on our role as the gateway to China," he said.
With regard to the Swiss-Hong Kong relations, Mr Lee highlighted the strong bilateral bonds between Switzerland and Hong Kong. "Our bilateral trade continues to grow with great momentum. The average annual growth rate from 2007 to 2011 was at an impressive 20.3 per cent," he added.
As testimony to the global leadership of both economies, Mr Lee referred to the newly published IMD's World Competitiveness Yearbook. "Hong Kong has been ranked the World's Most Competitive Economy for the second consecutive year. I am happy to say that we are in good company. Switzerland is also in the top five, ranking third, the highest among European countries," he said.
In the light of high-level exchanges between the two governments and the recently signed Free Trade Agreement, a solid foundation has been laid for a bright future of Hong Kong-Swiss relations. Swiss businesses already have a strong presence in the area of financial services in Hong Kong. With Hong Kong being the world's leading offshore Renminbi business centre, more exciting opportunities would be opened up. In 2011, the first Swiss company came to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
In his speech, Mr Lee also looked beyond the financial sector and highlighted Hong Kong's emergence as a wine trading and distribution hub in Asia where he saw ample opportunities for Swiss companies. He said, "Since the elimination of wine duties in HKSAR in 2008, the wine sector has blossomed. There is certainly potential for Swiss wine merchants to explore the fast-growing Asian market through Hong Kong." The Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair to be held in November would provide an excellent access point for Swiss wine merchants.
In addition, Mr Lee was delighted to report that a special bondage has been formed in the cultural sector. In 2013, Asia's largest art fair "Hong Kong International Art Fair" (HKIAF) will be renamed to "Art Basel Hong Kong" following the acquisition of the HKIAF by the organiser of Art Basel.
Mr Lee concluded his speech with optimism, "I look forward to further strengthening these relations. The celebration today is not only on the 15th anniversary of the HKSAR but also on the Swiss-Hong Kong bilateral relations," he concluded.
About 100 guests joined the reception, including senior officials from the Swiss government including Director of the Asia-Pacific Department of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Beat Nobs; Head of Bilateral Economic Relations Services of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Ambassador Eric Martin; Federal Council Delegate for Trade Agreements of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Ambassador Christian Etter and President of the Swiss-Chinese Parliamentary Group, Mr Bruno Zuppiger. Ambassador of Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, Mr Wu Ken; Executive Director of the Swiss-Hong Kong Business Association, Ms Susan Horvath, as well as senior officials of the federal, canton, and city governments, the business community, academia, the media, and the Chinese community, also graced the event.
Ends/Friday, June 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 05:39
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