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SCED visits Zurich to foster stronger ties (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, began his two-day visit to Zurich, Switzerland on January 23 (Zurich time) and met with senior government officials, entrepreneurs and academics with the aim of fostering closer co-operation between the two cities.

     Mr So first visited a manufacturing company which creates bags and accessories from used materials such as old truck tarpaulins, bicycle inner tubes and car seatbelts. He was shown the factory's production line and looked at a display of the end products. Mr So was impressed by the company's designs and business concept and encouraged the management to explore business opportunities in Hong Kong.

     He then visited an incubator of start-up projects focused on the information and communications technology and clean technology industries. The incubator's Chief Executive Officer briefed Mr So on the one-stop service provided for start-ups, including provision of office space, networking contacts and in-house coaching programmes.

     Mr So talked with the executives of two business occupants. He told them that Hong Kong has all the conditions favourable for quality start-ups to flourish, and urged them to leverage on the city's advantages for branching out to the Asian market, in particular the Mainland China market.

     In the afternoon, Mr So held a meeting with the Mayor of Zurich, Ms Corine Mauch, and senior government officials of the City of Zurich. They exchanged views on various issues including urban development and economic co-operation, and sought to strengthen ties between the two cities.

     Mr So then visited Zurich University of the Arts - the largest arts school in Switzerland - which offers courses in design, film, art, media, music, dance, theatre, art education and transdisciplinary studies. He met with the President, Professor Thomas Meier, and discussed opportunities for closer co-operation between Hong Kong and Zurich in the education of art and design.

     Later Mr So visited a global manufacturer of elevators and escalators with a regional head office in Hong Kong, and met with the senior management of the company.

     Mr So also paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich, Mr Liang Jianquan, and discussed Hong Kong's latest developments.

     On January 24 (Zurich time), Mr So will visit the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and speak at a business luncheon jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Swiss-Hong Kong Business Association.

Ends/Friday, January 24, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:20

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