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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, met with Mexican senior government officials and business leaders to promote trade and investment relations between Hong Kong and Mexico today (August 26, Mexico City time).
Speaking at a business dinner, Mr So said Hong Kong attaches great importance to encouraging Latin American companies to establish a presence or expand their business in Hong Kong.
"We value our trade and investment ties with Mexico, and are eager to strengthen such ties. I trust that the negotiations for an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) between Mexico and Hong Kong will send a very positive signal to the business community, and will encourage investment flows between the two places," he added.
Mr So and the Mexican Secretary for Economy, Mr Ildefonso Guajardo, announced after their meeting earlier in the day that the two economies will launch negotiations for an IPPA.
On the same day, Mr So met with the Head of the Investment Promotion and International Business Unit of ProMexico, Mr Mario Chacon Carrillo, to discuss Hong Kong-Mexico economic and trade prospects, and the efforts of the two places in promoting bilateral trade and investment.
He then had a meeting with representatives of the Mexican Automotive Industry Association and the National Industry of Auto Parts. During the meetings, Mr So told them that Hong Kong's excellent knowledge of the Mainland market provides plentiful areas for co-operation and collaboration between Mexico and Hong Kong in auto parts research and development, and for commercialisation of the developed products.
Mr So also took the opportunity to meet with the Chinese Ambassador to Mexico, Mr Qiu Xiaoqi.
Mr So will attend a luncheon with Mexican businessmen hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council tomorrow.
Ends/Thursday, August 27, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:55
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