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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo will organise a business seminar entitled "Hong Kong - Asia's Premier International City" in Sendai on February 16 (Wednesday). As the capital of the Miyagi Prefecture, the City of Sendai is the pre-eminent political, economic and cultural centre of North-eastern Japan.

"With scheduled direct flights linking the two cities, Hong Kong and Sendai have over the years forged a close tie in the areas of trade and tourism. I hope the business seminar will go a long way in furthering the partnership between Hong Kong and the City of Sendai," the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative in Tokyo, Miss Cheung Man-yee said.

The Honourable Mr Henry Tang, Executive Councillor and the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, will be the keynote speaker at the seminar. Mr Tang will share his experience in doing business in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Another important speaker will be Mr Jackie Chan, the internationally renowned and the most popular actor in Japan. Mr Chan is also Hong Kong's Tourism Ambassador. He will make an appeal to the audience on Hong Kong's attractions as a tourist destination. Other guest speakers include Mr Kenji Inaba, Director General of the Tohoku Bureau of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry; Mr Louis Ho, Director of Japan, Hong Kong Trade Development Council; and Mr Kunio Kano, Regional Director of the Hong Kong Tourist Association.

Some 400 business executives and officials from the region are expected to attend the seminar. Opportunity will be taken to update the audience on Hong Kong's latest economic developments, particularly in the fields of information technology and telecommunications.

A reception will be held following the seminar. Mr Shiro Asano, Governor of Miyagi Prefecture and Mr Hajimu Fujii, Mayor of Sendai City, will join other distinguished guests at the reception.

"The seminar is the first of its kind to be organised by the Economic and Trade Office in Sendai. It will without doubt help promote a better understanding amongst the audience on what Hong Kong can offer as a premier international city in terms of trade and tourism," added Miss Cheung.

For enquiries, please call Mr Donald Ng, Deputy Representative, on 813-3556-8983 / 81-90-2256-6551, or Ms Veta Wong, Information Officer, on 813-3556-8971 / 81-90-4745 7552.

End/Thursday, February 10, 2000

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