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The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, arrived in Frankfurt, today (November 15, Frankfurt time) to begin a six-day visit to Germany and Switzerland. The main purpose of his visit is to speak at the Euro Finance Week Lead Conference and update the European financial community about the latest developments in Hong Kong.
Tonight, Professor Chan attended the Euro Finance Week Opening Concert. Sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin, the Concert featured performance by Hong Kong pianist Miss Colleen Lee.
Tomorrow (Monday), the President of European Central Bank Mr Jean-Claude Trichet will host a welcoming lunch for Professor Chan where they will exchange views on recent financial market reforms.
During the day, Professor Chan will meet with Managing Director of German Securities Institute, Professor Rudiger von Rosen; Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Bank, Dr Josef Ackermann; Member of the Board of Directors of the Association of German Banks, Dr Lutz Raettig; and President of Chamber of Commerce Frankfurt, Dr Mathias Mˆ¢ller.
On November 17, Professor Chan will call on the Hesse State Minister of Finance, Mr Karl Heinz Weimar. He will also meet with the Chief Executive Director of BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority), Mr Karl-Burkhard Caspari, and visit the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
In the afternoon, Professor Chan will address at the Euro Finance Week Lead Conference titled "Restructuring the Global Financial Architecture ¡V the Road Ahead". After the Conference, Professor Chan will leave for Zurich, Switzerland.
On November 18, Professor Chan will meet with Chairman of the Credit Suisse Group, Mr Hans-Ulrich Doerig; and Secretary General of the Association of Foreign Banks in Switzerland, Dr Martin Maurer. At a business executive luncheon, Professor Chan will brief guests on the latest development in doing business in Hong Kong.
In the afternoon, Professor Chan will go to Bern to call on Swiss Vice President and Minister of Economic Affairs, Mrs Doris Leuthard. He will attend a dinner hosted by the Chief Executive of Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, Dr Patrick Raaflaub.
On November 19, Professor Chan will call on Swiss Federal Finance Administration Ambassador Alexander Karrer. Returning to Zurich midday, Professor Chan will visit the Swiss Stock Exchange and meet with Vice Chairman and Chairman (designate) of Swiss National Bank, Mr Philipp Hildebrand; and Chairman of UBS, Mr Kaspar Villiger. He will then speak at the Swiss-Hong Kong Business Association Dinner.
On November 20, Professor Chan will meet with Chairman of Swiss Private Bankers Association, Dr Konrad Hummler, on the development of private banking in Switzerland. Before concluding his visit to Switzerland, Professor Chan will join a high-powered lunch hosted by Swiss Bankers Association.
Professor Chan will return to Hong Kong on November 21.
Ends/Monday, November 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 06:11
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