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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, called on the Russian President, Mr Dmitry Medvedev, in the afternoon today (August 31) as he started his three-day visit to Moscow.
Emphasising Hong Kong's unique strengths, Mr Tsang told the President that Russian businessmen could take advantage of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) to tap the Mainland market and that Russian companies with China business nexus could actively consider listing in Hong Kong.
"The updating of the relevant listing rules in June this year would facilitate the listing of mining and resource companies in Hong Kong," Mr Tsang said.
The Chief Executive also encouraged Russian companies to issue Renminbi bonds in Hong Kong, adding that Russian banks are welcome to set up presence in Hong Kong and make use our Renminbi clearing and settlement system.
Both Mr Tsang and Mr Medvedev saw great room for cooperation in terms of academic exchanges, cultural exchanges and cooperation in information technology and environmental engineering.
Both hoped that businessmen from both places would take the opportunity of this visit to establish network. The Chief Executive also extended an invitation to Mr Medvedev to lead a business delegation to visit Hong Kong some time in the future.
Also attending the meeting with the Russian President were Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Mr Ronald Arculli; Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission, Mr Eddy Fong; and Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Banks, Mr Benjamin Hung.
In the evening, Mr Tsang will officiate at the opening ceremony of "Festive Hong Kong Week" to promote the various Hong Kong festivities and tourists' attractions.
Ends/Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 22:16
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