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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, speaking at a business luncheon in Santiago, Chile, yesterday (August 25, Santiago time), encouraged Chilean businesses to make use of Hong Kong as an investment springboard when they venture into the markets of the "Belt and Road" countries.
Mr So pointed out that the "Belt and Road" initiatives will generate demand and increase the volume and intensity of international trade and investment flow among countries on the routes, as well as the two-way traffic in and out of China. Hong Kong is well placed to serve as the "super-connector" for all the developments and will provide a wide range of professional services for Mainland enterprises to "go global" in pursuit of the "Belt and Road" opportunities.
"Chile is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner in South America. Chile has extensive free trade agreements with trade partners, including China and Hong Kong. All these come together nicely when we explore commercially valuable co-operation opportunities between Hong Kong and Chile in the context of the 'Belt and Road'," Mr So said.
He added that Chilean companies may also take advantage of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). Since CEPA is nationality-neutral, Latin American companies set up in Hong Kong can gain greater and easier access to the Mainland market through Hong Kong.
Earlier in the morning, Mr So had a breakfast meeting with representatives from the financial, securities, real estate and tourism sectors of Chile. He explained why Hong Kong is the natural choice and a perfect partner for Chilean companies doing business in the Mainland and Asia. He then met with representatives of the Federation of Chilean Industry to exchange views on various issues of mutual interest, including Hong Kong-Chile economic and trade prospects, areas of co-operation between the two places in wine-related businesses, Hong Kong's role as a "super-connector" between Chile and Asia, and the "Belt and Road" initiatives.
In the afternoon, Mr So visited the cities of Casablanca and Valparaiso. He took the opportunity to meet with wine producers and exporters in Casablanca as well as the Valparaiso Regional Government, and during the meetings he highlighted advantages of doing business in Hong Kong.
Mr So departed for Mexico City, Mexico, in the evening. He will meet with government officials and business leaders in Mexico today (August 26, Mexico City time).
Ends/Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:19
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