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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, attended the opening ceremonies for Chongqing Hong Kong Week 2014 cum Chongqing Industrial Exhibition and Chongqing Hong Kong Brand Festival in the municipality today (April 30).
Both events aim at enhancing exchanges between Hong Kong and Chongqing in areas such as trade, commerce and culture, as well as promoting Hong Kong brands and creative products.
This morning Mr So, together with the Vice Mayor of Chongqing Municipal Government, Liu Qiang, and the President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Mr Irons Sze, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Chongqing Hong Kong Week 2014 cum Chongqing Industrial Exhibition.
Delivering a speech during the ceremony, Mr So said that Chongqing Hong Kong Week 2014 focused on promoting Hong Kong's trendy and creative products and services, so as to enhance Chongqing people's understanding of Hong Kong, and assist Hong Kong businessmen in exploring markets in the municipality and in western China.
Mr So noted that Chongqing and Hong Kong were major trading partners, with total trade amounting to over US$6.3 billion in 2013, and that Hong Kong is the largest source of foreign investment for Chongqing, with the total amount exceeding US$31.6 billion as at end 2013.
"I hope the two places will continue to join hands in tapping development opportunities for further co-operation and exchanges," Mr So said.
Mr So and leaders of Chongqing toured various exhibition zones including the diverse Hong Kong exhibition and the 2014 Hong Kong Trendy Products Expo, Chongqing (the Expo).
One of the highlights of Chongqing Hong Kong Week 2014, the Expo showcases the latest development of Hong Kong brands and high quality products. To promote tourism in Hong Kong, the diverse Hong Kong exhibition introduces features such as heritage trails, intangible cultural heritage and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to Chongqing people.
Mr So later officiated at the opening of the Chongqing Hong Kong Brand Festival.
"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to the development of Hong Kong brands. The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Brand Development Council have made good use of the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) to organise a series of activities in this brand festival for upgrading Hong Kong brands and assisting enterprises in exploring the Mainland market," said Mr So in his opening speech.
Mr So said he hoped the brand festival could enrich Chongqing consumers' knowledge of Hong Kong brands and culture.
While in Chongqing, Mr So also met with the Mayor of Chongqing Municipal Government, Mr Huang Qifan, to exchange views on the latest developments of the two places.
Mr So will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.
Ends/Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:12
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