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Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Donald Tong received a Proclamation from the Governor of the US state of Maine, Mr Paul R LePage, during a courtesy call on the latter in Augusta, Maine on May 7 (Maine time).
The Governor proclaimed May 7 the first Hong Kong Day in Maine in honour of the visit of Mr Tong and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), Miss Anita Chan, and to recognize the 30th Anniversary of the HKETONY as well as to celebrate the strong ties between Hong Kong and Maine.
After the courtesy call on the Governor, Mr Tong and Miss Chan visited the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives and met members of Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the tightening of trade relations between Maine and Hong Kong as well as to stimulate further growth between the two regions.
"Our commercial relationship with Maine is notable. Maine's exports to Hong Kong last year totaled nearly US$27 million, an increase of over 73 per cent from 2011," Mr Tong explained.
Maine's exports to Hong Kong have been growing over the past few years especially in the categories of livestock and fish and marine products. Specifically, lobster exports to Hong Kong grew almost 24 per cent in 2012 making it the fifth largest consumer of Maine lobsters. Computer and electronic products exported to Hong Kong have also been growing.
The mission of the HKETONY is to strengthen the economic, trade, and cultural ties between the US (31 eastern states of the US, including Maine) and Hong Kong, and Maine sees great potential for growing trade ties with Hong Kong. "We treasure very much our diverse ties with Maine, and Hong Kong provides tremendous business opportunities to Maine by way of example, the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement," Mr Tong spoke to the audience at the commerce chamber at noon.
Earlier in the day, Mr Tong and Miss Chan met with Maine Senate President Justin L Alfond; Senator Michael D Thibodeau (who is also Senate Republican Leader), Senator Seth A Goodall (also Senate Democratic Majority Leader), Senator Troy Jackson (also Senate Assistant Majority Leader), and Senator Roger J Katz (also Senate Assistant Minority Leader). They also met with Speaker of the House, Mr Mark W Eves, and President of Maine International Trade Centre, Ms Janine Bisaillon-Cary. Mr Tong updated them on the economic and financial developments of Hong Kong.
Ends/Thursday, May 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 08:46
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