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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, started his visit to Myanmar today (June 27).
In Yangon, Mr Tsang paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar, Mr Yang Houlan, in the morning.
Shortly after the courtesy call, Mr Tsang held a meeting with the President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr Win Aung. The meeting enabled Mr Tsang to have a better understanding of the economic outlook, investment environment and business opportunities in Myanmar.
Still in Yangon, Mr Tsang attended a business luncheon co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore. Mr Tsang pointed out that Hong Kong and Myanmar are highly complementary in various economic aspects. Hong Kong's expertise in financial services, logistics, infrastructure and professional services and other key areas could contribute to the further development of Myanmar, he said. He also welcomed more companies from Myanmar to take full advantage of Hong Kong's strengths to connect with new markets in Mainland China.
Mr Tsang also said that Myanmar and Hong Kong have agreed to explore the possibility of entering into a bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA), reaffirming the commitment of both governments to promoting bilateral trade and investment. An IPPA would bring economic benefits to both sides, he said.
Mr Tsang headed for Nay Pyi Taw in the afternoon and attended a working dinner with the Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, Dr Than Nyein, in the evening.
The visit to Cambodia and Myanmar by the Financial Secretary from June 24 to 29 is being made to promote trade flows and economic development between Hong Kong and these two countries with a view to further tapping into the emerging Southeast Asian market.
Ends/Thursday, June 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 22:52
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