*********************************************************
Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, spoke on growing strong ties between Hong Kong and Chicago at a spring reception in Chicago on April 9 (Chicago time) organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY). More than 120 guests from the business, government, academic and media sectors attended the reception.
In his address, Professor Chan said the two cities shared many similarities, such as strategic locations, with HK being in the centre of Asia and Chicago being in the centre of the US, as well as enterprising people. "Our close ties can be strengthened by direct flights between the two cities," he added.
In his welcome remarks, the Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Donald Tong, highlighted Hong Kong-US trade ties, pointing out that Hong Kong has long been an attractive market for the US, which is the territory's second largest trading partner after the Mainland.
"The city is now the US's 10th largest export destination. The US remains the single largest source of overseas companies in the city, with around 1 400 firms. This demonstrates a vote of confidence in our future," said the Commissioner.
"We treasure our ties with the US and look forward to working with you to strengthen them in the years to come," added Mr Tong.
Also speaking at the annual reception, Director of HKETONY, Miss Anita Chan said Chicago and the state of Illinois have been important partners of Hong Kong, with exports of Illinois goods to Hong Kong surging by over 40 per cent in the past 10 years.
She also thanked Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who had sent out a proclamation recognising and celebrating this year's 30th anniversary of the establishment of the HKETONY.
Earlier in the day, Professor Chan spoke to about 50 students at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business during the first leg of his visit to the US. The title of his presentation was "Hong Kong's Financial Market and China's Opportunities: The New Decade".
Ends/Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 13:55
NNNN
