Hong Kong and Thailand sign Cooperation Arrangement on Strengthening Trade and Economic Relations (with photos/video)

Hong Kong and Thailand sign Cooperation Arrangement on Strengthening Trade and Economic Relations (with photos/video)
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     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, and the Thai Minister of Commerce, Mr Boonsong Teriyapirom, signed a Cooperation Arrangement on Strengthening Trade and Economic Relations today (February 26) in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, and the Prime Minister of Thailand, Ms Yingluck Shinawatra, witnessed the signing ceremony.

     Welcoming the Cooperation Arrangement, Mr So said that Thailand is an important trading partner of Hong Kong. The signing of the Cooperation Arrangement signifies the development of closer trade and economic ties between the two sides.

     "As the next step, we look forward to further enhancing economic ties between Hong Kong and Thailand through Hong Kong's eventual accession to the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA). In this regard, we are delighted and encouraged to receive Thailand's support for our request for accession to CAFTA," Mr So added.

     The Cooperation Arrangement aims to encourage and promote bilateral economic co-operation in areas such as:

(a) trade in goods;
(b) trade in services;
(c) investment;
(d) trade-related rules and regulations;
(e) collaboration of small and medium enterprises;
(f) logistics and transport;
(g) tourism;
(h) information and communication technology and applied research and development;
(i) human resource development and capacity building;
(j) intellectual property rights; and
(k) development of the creative economy.

     Under the Cooperation Arrangement, a Joint Cooperation Committee, comprising senior officials of both sides, will be set up to take forward various co-operation initiatives.

Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:05

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