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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, today (May 21) met with the Hong Kong-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (HKVCC) to further understand the impacts of the recent large-scale protests in Vietnam on its members, and to convey the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's concern over the safety of Hong Kong people and their business operations in the country.
Corporate members of the HKVCC which operate a variety of businesses in Vietnam led by its Chairman, Dr Jonathan Choi, attended the meeting initiated by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB). The Security Bureau was also represented at the meeting.
"We remind Hong Kong businessmen in Vietnam to remain vigilant. We stress to the chamber that the personal safety of Hong Kong people in Vietnam is of paramount concern.
"I hope to maintain communications with the HKVCC and other chambers of commerce and business associations so as to provide the appropriate assistance to them in a timely manner," Mr So said.
He was informed by the HKVCC that most companies contacted by the chamber so far only reported slight damage to their factories as a result of the recent protests. In this connection, they do not require any assistance from the HKSAR Government to resume operations or to seek compensation at this stage, while appreciating the Government's efforts and concern.
The HKVCC will help publicise to its members the availability of the Registration of Outbound Travel Information service provided by the HKSAR Government, and encourage them to make use of the service.
"I have also tasked the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Singapore to travel to Ho Chi Minh City today to pay visits to affected factories run by Hong Kong businessmen at the arrangement of the Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam to get first-hand information about the impacts of the recent protests on the business operations there.
"The HKSAR Government will maintain liaison with the relevant authorities in the Central People's Government, the Vietnamese Government and the trade, with a view to providing the Hong Kong business community in Vietnam with the most up-to-date information and the necessary support," Mr So added.
Hong Kong ranks sixth in the foreign direct investment received by Vietnam.
Since last week, the CEDB, the Trade and Industry Department (TID) and the ETO in Singapore have been in close contact with the major chambers of commerce, business associations and the trade to get first-hand information on Hong Kong companies in Vietnam and the latest local situation.
The CEDB, the TID and the ETO in Singapore have also requested the assistance of the chambers of commerce and business associations in conveying the HKSAR Government's concern about the relevant trade to their members, reminding the Hong Kong business community in Vietnam to attend to personal safety as well as disseminating contact details of the Immigration Department and the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam.
Ends/Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:25
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