************************************************************
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, started his official visit programme in Indonesia today (March 14) to promote bilateral co-operation between Hong Kong and Indonesia in the areas of trade and business, as well as tourism.
Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Lifestyle Expo in Jakarta 2013 this morning, Mr So said it was a privilege for Hong Kong's exhibitors to bring a taste of the unique lifestyle to Indonesia.
The Expo is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council with support from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Following the success of the inaugural expo last year, more than 200 Hong Kong exhibitors are this time showcasing their high-quality innovative products, covering consumer electronics, household products, gifts and premiums, fashion and accessories, as well as watches and clocks, to reinforce the position of Hong Kong as a creative capital in the region.
"This Expo is an excellent opportunity for the people of Jakarta to get to know more about Hong Kong's lifestyle products and the opportunities for doing business in the world's freest economy, right on the doorstep of Mainland China," Mr So said.
He added that Hong Kong is keen to further enhance its ties with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, including Indonesia. A closer economic partnership between ASEAN and Hong Kong would contribute significantly to common prosperity.
Mr So also attended the toasting ceremony of the Expo's networking dinner and delivered his welcoming remarks tonight.
To explore areas of further economic co-operation with Indonesia, Mr So met with the Minister of Trade of Indonesia, Mr Gita Wirjawan, earlier today. He also had a meeting with the Deputy Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr Lim Hong Hin.
Hong Kong and Indonesia have a strong history of bilateral trade. In 2012, Hong Kong was Indonesia's 14th largest trading partner, with the value of bilateral trade exceeding US$5.3 billion. A total of US$3.2 billion worth of trade between Indonesia and Mainland China was routed through Hong Kong last year.
Arriving in Jakarta this afternoon, the Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Philip Yung, met with the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy for Institution Relations, Mr Syamsul Lussa, to promote bilateral co-operation in tourism.
Tomorrow (March 15), Mr So and Mr Yung will lead a delegation of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong and travel agents to Lombok, Indonesia. They will meet with the Governor of the Province of West Nusa Tenggara, Mr Muhammad Zainul Majdi. The delegation will also visit the tourism infrastructure in Lombok and have meetings with the travel industry there before leaving Indonesia on Sunday (March 17).
Ends/Thursday, March 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:28
NNNN
