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The new Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung, celebrated the Year of the Horse with about 100 distinguished guests, government officials and business leaders in Dallas, Texas, today (February 11, Dallas time).
Mr Leung, who took up his new post a week ago, was making his first official visit to Texas in his new capacity and attending the Spring Reception hosted in Dallas by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO).
Addressing the guests, Mr Leung emphasised his priority to further deepen the close ties between Hong Kong and the United States. "The US is our second largest trading partner. In 2013, US exports to Hong Kong reached over US$42 billion, up 13 per cent from 2012." He said that he would identify new areas of mutual opportunity and co-operation.
He noted that, economically, Hong Kong fared rather well in light of the global economic gyrations of the past few years. The real GDP growth for 2013 in Hong Kong is forecast at 3 per cent.
Citing the Hong Kong Chief Executive's second annual Policy Address, Mr Leung said there are various proposals to promote economic development, specifically initiatives to foster the innovation and technology industries and maritime services in addition to further development of the existing pillar sectors.
The Director of the HKETO, San Francisco, Ms Subrina Chow, also touched on the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong when speaking at the reception.
"Hong Kong has long been the premier business hub of Asia. It is now one of the hot spots for global start-ups," Ms Chow said. In the first StartmeupHK Venture Programme in Hong Kong, a total of 384 start-ups from 39 countries competed for three grand awards. "Fifty were from the United States and one of them finished in the top three. It was none other than Hanson Robotics, based right here in Dallas," she added.
Ms Chow encouraged more exchanges between Dallas and Hong Kong, especially with the new direct flight service between the two cities that will be launched this summer.
She also used the occasion to pay tribute to the late Mr Robert Hsueh, a long-time friend of the HKETO. Mr Hsueh was a founding Director of the Hong Kong Association of Northern Texas. He was also formerly its President and Chairman, faithfully supporting the Association throughout the past 17 years.
In the Year of the Horse, the HKETO looks forward to working with old and new partners in Dallas to promote economic and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Texas.
Mr Leung and Ms Chow will be in Los Angeles tomorrow (February 12, Los Angeles time) to host another Spring Reception.
Ends/Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:45
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