The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, yesterday (April 4, Milan time) officiated at the opening ceremony of the "Confluence‧20+ Creative Ecologies of Hong Kong" exhibition at Milan Design Week 2017.
      
     Presented by the Hong Kong Design Centre, "Confluence‧20+" is a roving exhibition series that offers a holistic perspective on Hong Kong creative ecologies with exhibits from 20 groups of outstanding local designers. The exhibition series, sponsored by Create Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Brussels, Tokyo and New York, is also an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It will be presented in Milan, Hong Kong, Seoul and Chicago in different months throughout the year.
      
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr So said that Hong Kong, being Asia's world city, is well positioned for the design industries to flourish. In a place where the East meets the West, Hong Kong designers are multi-lingual and multi-cultural, which hugely assists them to prove their worth internationally.
      
     Mr So toured the exhibition and viewed the diverse and vibrant art pieces, including a poetic tram ride, presented by design talent in Hong Kong. He also hosted dinner for representatives of the Hong Kong Design Centre and participating designers to express his gratitude for their effort in making "Confluence‧20+" a success.
      
     Earlier on, Mr So visited Zona Tortona, a design-related cluster in Milan, and Eataly Milan Smeraldo, which will host a sumptuous feast of Hong Kong street food as one of the peripheral events of "Confluence‧20+".
 
     Mr So also met with the Deputy Mayor of Milan for Tourism, Sport and Quality of Life, Ms Roberta Guaineri, and the Lombardy Regional Minister of Economic Development, Mr Mauro Parolini, to brief them on the economic opportunities for Italian enterprises in Hong Kong.
 
     Before concluding his visit in Milan today (April 5, Milan time), Mr So will meet with representatives of the local business sector to learn about the business landscape in Milan.
 
     Mr So will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (April 6).

Ends/Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Issued at HKT 7:52

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