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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, will begin an official visit to Myanmar tomorrow (May 10). The main purposes of this trip are to speak at the 11th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leadership Forum to be held in Nay Pyi Taw on May 11 and 12, and to promote stronger bilateral and economic ties between Hong Kong and member countries of ASEAN, Hong Kong's important trading partner.
Themed "The Road Towards 2015 - Community Building Towards Regional Prosperity, Resilience and Peace" this year, the ASEAN Leadership Forum is an annual high level forum held alongside the Summit of ASEAN Leaders. Mr So will speak as the host of a dinner on May 11 to welcome leaders from member countries of ASEAN and other participants.
On May 12, Mr So will speak as a panelist during the session "ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) - Creating Regional Prosperity, Resilience and Opportunities" to share his thoughts on how the AEC will facilitate ASEAN members in the process of regional integration in the context of other ongoing free trade/economic partnership agreements.
Mr So will also take the opportunity to have bilateral meetings in Nay Pyi Taw with senior commerce, trade and industry officials from member countries of ASEAN to discuss issues of mutual concern.
Mr So will also go to Yangon, where he will visit the site of a redevelopment project involving a Hong Kong listed company, and a garment manufacturing company owned by a Hong Kong businessman. He will have meetings with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as with prominent members of the business community to learn more about the business environment there.
Mr So will return to Hong Kong on May 14. The Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Godfrey Leung, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development during Mr So's absence.
Ends/Friday, May 9, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:28
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