CS continues visit to UK (with photos)
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     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to London, the United Kingdom (UK) on November 14 (London time).

     In the morning, Mrs Lam met with the Director of Sotheby's Institute of Art, Professor Jos Hackforth-Jones to explore areas of collaboration in relation to the provision of art training and education in Hong Kong.  The institute is a renowned organisation offering training and education to people who are interested in pursuing a career in the art field and art related businesses. The meeting was followed by a visit to the White Cube, a leading contemporary art gallery in the UK.

     Mrs Lam then called on the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Mr Roger Gifford. They exchanged views on forging ever stronger economic ties between Hong Kong and the City of London, in particular on the fronts of maritime and legal services.

     The courtesy call was followed by a luncheon with professionals from the infrastructure sector hosted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). In her speech, Mrs Lam provided an update to about 80 guests present on various development projects in Hong Kong such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, Kai Tak development, Energizing Kowloon East, harbourfront enhancement, the third runway and various cross-boundary road and rail links, etc. as well as our green building and heritage revitalisation initiatives.

     On the occasion, Mrs Lam was presented Honorary Membership of the RICS in recognition of her contribution to the development of land, property and construction industries in Hong Kong in her previous capacity as the Secretary for Development.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam attended a seminar hosted by the Institute of Directors City of London Branch. She briefed around 130 participants on Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre as well as the opportunities for professional and legal services under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

     In the evening, Mrs Lam joined the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Lord Green as Guests of Honour of the Annual Dinner of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. In her keynote speech, Mrs Lam updated over 330 guests attending on the latest economic and social developments in Hong Kong.  Prior to the dinner, she met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr George Osborne, and exchanged views on broad areas of co-operation between Hong Kong and the UK.

     Mrs Lam will leave for Madrid on November 15 morning (London time) for the second leg of her visit to Spain.

Ends/Thursday, November 15, 2012
Issued at HKT 07:40

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