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The Government announced today (August 9) that the Chief Executive, Mr CY Leung, had re-appointed Mr Jack So Chak-kwong as Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) for one year with effect from October 1, 2013.
"Mr So has been an outstanding chairman of the TDC. Under Mr So's able leadership, TDC has done an excellent job in promoting Hong Kong's trade and raising Hong Kong's business profile around the world.
"In recent years, TDC has successfully embarked on a number of new initiatives to help Hong Kong enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), explore new markets. It has enhanced its trade promotion events in ASEAN and other emerging markets like India, Turkey, Russia and Latin America, and has helped SMEs leverage on the Government's $1 billion Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales. In order to assist SMEs to grasp business opportunities arising from the National 12th Five-Year Plan, TDC has expanded its Design Gallery network (both physical and online) to build up the image of Hong Kong brands in the Mainland domestic market. The Council has also stepped up its promotional programme for Hong Kong's services to develop the Mainland market," Mr Leung said.
"The external environment will remain unstable in the year ahead. Hong Kong exporters will continue to face a lot of challenges. The new initiatives launched under Mr So's leadership will move into higher gear in 2014. The re-appointment of Mr So as the Chairman of TDC will provide the necessary continuity and ensure their smooth implementation," Mr Leung added.
Mr So is also the incumbent Convener of the Working Group on Convention and Exhibition Industries and Tourism under the Economic Development Commission. The Working Group will consider, inter alia, how the existing convention and exhibition facilities can be more effectively utilised and how the Government may support the further development of the convention and exhibition industries. Mr So was first appointed TDC Chairman on October 1, 2007.
Ends/Friday, August 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:02
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