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Trade ties between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Hong Kong grew strongly in recent years, with total exports from the Commonwealth to Hong Kong surging 150 per cent in 2013 year-on-year to exceed US$1.7 billion, said the Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung, at an event in Boston yesterday (June 12, Boston time).
Speaking at an evening reception at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to launch "Hong Kong Celebrates Massachusetts 2014", Mr Leung said Hong Kong had become one of the major export destinations for Massachusetts, as exports to the city have more than tripled since 2009. "Hong Kong rose rapidly to be the sixth most popular international export destination for Massachusetts exporters - up from 11th in 2012," he added.
The US is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner after Mainland China. With total exports to Hong Kong reaching US$42.5 billion last year, Hong Kong is also home to more than 1,300 US companies which include 10 of the 12 Fortune 500 companies in Massachusetts.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Massachusetts and Hong Kong in January 2014 to further promote trade and economic co-operation between the two places. "It signifies more robust business transactions to come," said the Commissioner.
The reception was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY). "Riding on the robust trading ties, the festive events under 'Hong Kong Celebrates Massachusetts' aim to showcase the successful partnership between the two places as well as Hong Kong's economic and cultural vitality," said the Acting Director of HKETONY, Mr Paul Cheung.
Following the reception, the award-winning Hong Kong film "Unbeatable" made its Boston premiere at the Museum of Fine Arts. It is one of the six feature films to be shown in the "Enchanting New Cinema from Hong Kong" film series running until June 22 at the museum. More than 130 guests from the business, cultural, academic and political sectors attended the reception and film screening.
Other event highlights include a "Hong Kong Day" reception at the Massachusetts State House, the Hong Kong Ballet's performances at the 82nd Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket and the 35th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Boston over the next few days. The Commissioner will officiate and speak at these major events.
During the visit to Boston yesterday, the Commissioner and the Acting Director called on the Speaker of the House of Massachusetts, Mr Robert DeLeo, and were officially recognised at a formal meeting of the Senate of Massachusetts. They also met with the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, Mr Richard Elam, and with board members of the Hong Kong Association of Massachusetts.
Mr Leung will officiate at the National US-Hong Kong Business Association Caucus and the "Hong Kong Day" reception, as well as meet with other state government officials and business leaders, today (June 13, Boston time).
Ends/Friday, June 13, 2014
Issued at HKT 21:30
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