SCED speaks to the media
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, at a media session on trade issues and the Food Truck Pilot Scheme after attending a radio programme today (October 14):

Reporter: You mentioned in the radio programme that businesses in Hong Kong should try to find more business opportunities outside Hong Kong. How can they do so? What advice do you have for them? How can they leave Hong Kong and try to get more business opportunities?

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I was saying that one of the major challenges for Hong Kong to scale new heights is how to put Hong Kong in the world atlas of being the most attractive investment city and trading city of the world. Of course, there is a two-pronged approach. One is that we have a very strong foothold in some of the major economic sectors, including investment, finance, trading, logistics as well as professional services. All these would be needed, as we see the Belt and Road attracting more international interactive trading systems. But at the same time, Hong Kong should also start to think about in what area we can be more creative and more design-oriented and to gear up to the aspirations of the newer generations, who are young and might be able to venture more. So the general strategy for Hong Kong is, on the one hand, to strengthen what we have been doing good in the traditional sector, and at the same time, to explore new ways and create new opportunities for our young people and young entrepreneurs, and to project Hong Kong as a system capable of making changes, as a system of design and as a system of creativity.

Reporter: A third food truck operator has decided to quit the scheme. Do you think the scheme is a failure?

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: We have seen this trial scheme running for more than half a year now. We have made a number of adjustments in facilitating different food trucks to give it a try in various locations. Only a few days before yesterday, we have also given them another facilitation to allow them to pick different sites or give up certain sites. I think it is a process where we can try out and do as facilitating as possible. Of course, it is a business venture and also a trial scheme, we have to see how it goes. Overall speaking, I think it is a good try and we will see how it could be further improved in the months to come.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Saturday, October 14, 2017
Issued at HKT 13:55

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