************************************************************
"Connectivity" is the word that reflects the uniqueness of Hong Kong and it also serves as a focus of the work of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Toronto, according to the Director of the HKETO in Toronto, Miss Gloria Lo.
She was speaking today (December 10, Toronto time) at a reception organised by the HKETO in Toronto to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the 20th year of the HKETO. The reception was attended by over 300 guests, including political, business and community leaders.
"Hong Kong is an amazing place to connect with people and businesses around the world," said Miss Lo. "Hong Kong has superb infrastructure, which includes our busy international airport, container ports and most efficient railway system. We have highly advanced communication networks and enjoy free flow of information. Business people are also attracted by Hong Kong's sound regulatory regime and large pool of talents and professionals."
Miss Lo noted that the "One Country, Two Systems" principle under the Basic Law has been successfully implemented over the past 15 years. She said, "Since the reunification with China in 1997, Hong Kong has continued to develop and prosper. Hong Kong's economy has grown by an average of 4.5 per cent per year in the past 10 years and the Hong Kong Government has been running with fiscal surpluses despite the Asian financial crisis."
Miss Lo added, "With the continuous support of the Central Government of China, Hong Kong will continue to be the world hub for clean and green technology, a global R&D centre, the world financial centre, a regional wine trading centre and the largest global wine auction centre, a place supporting student exchanges and cultural exchanges and co-operation, as well as a hub for film and television co-production."
At the reception, Miss Lo gave an update on the Hong Kong-Canada relationship. "The recent visit of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Hong Kong to witness the signing of the comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement between Hong Kong and Canada provides further incentive for business and investments between the two places."
Hong Kong and Canada are closely connected with around 300,000 Canadian passport holders living and working in Hong Kong, and reciprocally at least 500,000 Hong Kong immigrants living in Canada. "Hong Kong is now among the 10 most important export markets of Canada and the second largest destination for foreign direct investment of Canada in Asia," she said.
"This is the 20th year that the HKETO has been officially established in Canada," said Miss Lo. "Over the years, we have worked closely with various parties under the Hong Kong family, including the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association, to promote trade and economy in Hong Kong and Mainland China through Hong Kong."
Ends/Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:57
NNNN