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The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mr Deval Patrick, proclaimed June 13, 2014 to be "Hong Kong Day" to recognise the importance of continued economic and trade ties between Massachusetts (MA) and Hong Kong, and the first official visit of the Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung, to MA.
It also recognised the "Hong Kong Celebrates Massachusetts 2014", a series of festive events organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY), in Boston, Cambridge and the Berkshires in June to showcase the growing business and cultural ties between the two places.
In the Governor's Proclamation, which was presented to Mr Leung during the "Hong Kong Day" reception in the Massachusetts State House in Boston on June 13 (Boston time), it was noted that deepening economic ties were witnessed by exports from MA to Hong Kong increasing by 150% over the past two years, from US$708 million to US$1.76 billion.
The "Hong Kong Day" reception, co-hosted by HKETONY and the Hong Kong Association of Massachusetts, was attended by about 200 guests. It formed part of the festive events of "Hong Kong Celebrates Massachusetts 2014".
During the day, Mr Leung met with the Director of Economic and Global Affairs, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, Mr Peter Abair, to learn about the latest developments of life sciences and biotechnology in the Commonwealth. He also met with the President of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Mr Paul Guzzi, and the Chairman of Mass Insight Global Partnerships, Mr William Guenther, to exchange views on financial co-operation between Boston and Hong Kong. Mr Leung also had a lunch meeting with a delegation of state legislators led by State Representative, Mr Ronald Mariano, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts. Furthermore, Mr Leung spoke at the National U.S. Hong Kong Business Association Caucus.
He will continue with his visit to MA by attending and speaking at the Season Opening Gala of the 82nd Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket on June 14 which will feature the Hong Kong Ballet, and the 35th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Boston on June 15.
Ends/Saturday, June 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 23:35
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