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CS continues visit to Malaysia (with photos)
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     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia today (June 5).

     Before the forum on "Hong Kong - ASEAN Regional Cooperation" co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore as well as Hong Kong and local chambers of commerce, Mrs Lam met with the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed, to exchange views on investment and trade opportunities.

     "Hong Kong has well-developed financial, professional and business service sectors of international standard and with strong international connections. There is high trade complementarity between Hong Kong and Malaysia. The nationality-neutral Hong Kong and Mainland Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement also enables overseas companies to use Hong Kong as a platform to access the vast Mainland China market. I strongly encourage more Malaysian companies to take advantage of Hong Kong's unique position to explore the business opportunities in the region," Mrs Lam said.

     After the meeting, Mrs Lam witnessed at the forum on "Hong Kong - ASEAN Regional Cooperation" the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and Invest Hong Kong to enhance co-operation on investment promotion.

     Later in the morning, Mrs Lam called on the Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, to promote bilateral relations between Malaysia and Hong Kong. At the meeting, Mrs Lam said that "One Country, Two Systems" has been successfully implemented since Hong Kong's reunification with China almost 17 years ago. She thanked Malaysia for its support for Hong Kong in fostering closer ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through pursuing the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (ASEAN-HK FTA). She also provided an update on the latest developments of Hong Kong on various fronts, including the economy, education and employment, housing and infrastructure as well as constitutional development.

     "The ASEAN-HK FTA will mark a significant step for Hong Kong to contribute to the economic integration and common prosperity of the region. I am pleased that ASEAN and Hong Kong will commence formal negotiations in July and I look forward to an early conclusion so that businessmen and investors of both sides can reap the benefits of this important FTA," Mrs Lam said.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam delivered a keynote speech at the forum on "Hong Kong - ASEAN Regional Cooperation".

     "With the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015, we are confident that a Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN will provide a timely boost to markets across our region and add value to business activities," Mrs Lam said.

     Mrs Lam departed for Penang in the afternoon. She will meet with the Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang, Dr P Ramasamy, and officiate at the opening ceremony of the Spotlight Hong Kong in Penang festival tonight to promote cultural exchanges between the two places.

     Mrs Lam will continue her visit in Penang tomorrow (June 6). She will speak at a symposium, meet with a key official of Penang and visit heritage sites, as well as meet with artists and people from Hong Kong.

Ends/Thursday, June 5, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:10

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