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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, has conducted the first leg of his Central Europe visit in Budapest, Hungary.
Arriving in Budapest yesterday (September 21, Budapest time), Mr Tsang called on the Chinese Ambassador to Hungary, Mr Duan Jielong, before receiving a briefing by the Hungarian Tourism Board on Hungary's tourism industry.
Mr Tsang also met with the Minister for National Economy, Mr Mihály Varga, and introduced to him how the pillar industries of Hong Kong, namely trade and logistics, financial services, professional services and tourism, can serve and assist Hungarian businesses in tapping the massive markets in China and Southeast Asia.
Mr Tsang today (September 22, Budapest time) started the day by meeting with the President of the Hungarian National Bank, Mr György Matolcsy. They discussed monetary policy and the development of offshore Renminbi business in Hong Kong.
A courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Hungary, Mr Viktor Orbán, was made. Both sides looked forward to enhancing economic, social and cultural co-operation among the countries along the "Belt and Road".
This was followed by a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Pˆmter Szijjártó. The meeting sought to strengthen the trade and commercial ties with emerging economies along the "Belt and Road" to facilitate infrastructure and business development.
Speaking at a business luncheon co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, Mr Tsang said that he is confident that trade and co-operation between Hong Kong and Hungary will continue to expand in the coming years.
"Through the Belt-Road, we expect to see soaring investment in infrastructural facilities, deepening financial integration, expanding trade and the building of people-to-people bonds on a global scale.
"Hong Kong can help make it happen, thanks to the unique advantages presented by our 'one country, two systems' arrangement," Mr Tsang said.
"Hong Kong is China's international financial centre and we are also one of the world's financial capitals. We have the experience, the expertise and the connections to serve as the fundraising and financial management hub for the Belt-Road," he added.
"Hong Kong is also the world's largest offshore Renminbi business centre. Our Renminbi services range from cross-border trade settlement to bond issuance. As trade and other economic activities along the Belt-Road expand, so, too, will the demand for Renminbi trade settlement. And Hong Kong's Renminbi trade settlement system is well placed to respond to that demand."
Noting that the Maritime Silk Road will create fresh demand for shipping services, Mr Tsang encouraged Hungarian logistics companies to establish a presence in Hong Kong, using Hong Kong and its maritime services to tap into the Belt-Road markets.
Having concluded the Budapest leg of visit, Mr Tsang will fly to Warsaw where he will meet and have dinner with the Chinese Ambassador to Poland, Mr Xu Jian, in the evening.
Tomorrow (September 23, Warsaw time), Mr Tsang will conduct the second leg of his three-nation visit in Warsaw.
Ends/Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:18
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