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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) has kicked off its Chinese New Year celebrations in countries under its purview by holding events in Finland, Sweden and Norway.
The London ETO started celebrating the Year of the Horse with a Chinese New Year reception in Helsinki, Finland on January 21 which featured a performance by renowned Hong Kong cellist Trey Lee, who also performed at the London ETO's Chinese New Year reception in Stockholm, Sweden on January 23. The London ETO then held a Chinese New Year seminar and reception in Oslo, Norway on January 28.
Key speaker at the Stockholm and Oslo events was Director-General of the London ETO, Ms Erica Ng. Ms Ng said, "Hong Kong is a highly open economy with free flows of capital, ideas and information. We have the rule of law, robust intellectual property protection and a low and simple tax system. Hong Kong is a 'super-connector' between China and other parts of the world, and a place where global perspectives from East and West converge."
Describing business opportunities in Hong Kong for companies from the Nordic region, Ms Ng introduced the latest government initiatives on environmental protection, infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, and how Hong Kong promotes the development of design, innovation and technology. Ms Ng said Nordic countries have strong advantages in these areas and she encouraged Nordic companies to go to Hong Kong to capture new business opportunities in Hong Kong, Mainland China and other parts of Asia. She also said such opportunities would expand even further since the recent announcement that Hong Kong would commence formal negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Another key speaker at the events was Regional Director, Europe of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Mr Stephen Wong. He described how overseas companies could benefit from using Hong Kong as a platform to enter Mainland China and Asia, and drew attention to the business ties between Hong Kong and the Nordic countries.
The above-mentioned Chinese New Year receptions were co-organised by the London ETO, HKTDC and local business associations, namely the Finland - Hong Kong Trade Association, the Royal Sweden Hong Kong Business Council, and the Norway - Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce. The London ETO will be holding further Chinese New Year receptions in other countries under its purview during February and March.
Ends/Thursday, January 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 09:12
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