FS officiates at HKSAR 20th anniversary gala dinner and opening ceremony of Jakarta ETO (with photos)
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Speaking at the gala dinner, Mr Chan said that the celebration theme of HKSAR's 20th anniversary – "Together • Progress • Opportunity" – is a remarkably apt description of relations between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today. The ties between ASEAN and Hong Kong have been strong and will continue to deepen. Taking trade as an example, the trade value between Hong Kong and ASEAN has grown by a cumulative 72 per cent over the past 10 years, making ASEAN the second largest trading partner of Hong Kong. The free trade agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN, which is expected to be signed before the end of this year, will further facilitate the flow of goods, services and investment between Hong Kong and ASEAN.
He added that the establishment of the Jakarta ETO will certainly take Hong Kong's co-operation with ASEAN countries to another level. Hong Kong will work hand-in-hand with ASEAN to seize the opportunities ahead.
Other officiating guests at the gala dinner included Mr Oke Nurwan who was representing the Indonesian Minister of Trade; Charge d'Affaires and Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, Mr Sun Weide; the former Indonesian Minister of Trade, Ms Mari Elka Pangestu; and the Chairman of the Indonesian Agency for Creative Economy, Mr Triawan Munaf.
In the morning, Mr Chan gave a keynote speech at the business seminar entitled "Belt and Road Initiative: Connecting China, Hong Kong, and Indonesia" organised by the HKTDC and Jakarta ETO, highlighting the promising future for Hong Kong and Indonesia under the Belt and Road Initiative. "Given its fast growing economy, its strategic location in Southeast Asia, as well as its vast human and natural resources, Indonesia is a key player in the Belt and Road Initiative," Mr Chan said.
"As Asia's international financial capital, Hong Kong has the experience, expertise, international connections to serve as the fundraising, financial management and professional services hub for Belt and Road projects." He said that there are clear synergy and advantages for Hong Kong and Indonesia to work together to grasp the unprecedented opportunities that are emerging along the Belt and Road corridors.
Following the seminar, he also had separate meetings with the Chairman of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board, Mr Thomas Trikasih Lembong, and the Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Mr Perry Warjiyo, to exchange views on further enhancing co-operation between the two places.
Mr Chan then visited the office of the Jakarta ETO and officiated at the opening ceremony. Mr Chan said he was happy to see that the Jakarta ETO has moved into its long-term accommodation and is up and running. During the ceremony, Mr Chan also met with the Hong Kong community in Indonesia and updated them on the latest developments in Hong Kong.
Mr Chan will meet with leaders in the banking sector in Indonesia before returning to Hong Kong tomorrow (July 27, Jakarta time).
The Jakarta ETO commenced operation on June 13 last year, relocated to its long-term accommodation on May 1 this year, and held its opening ceremony today. It represents the HKSAR Government in matters between Hong Kong and the ASEAN as a whole, and handles matters between Hong Kong and four ASEAN countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines. The Jakarta ETO can be contacted through the following channels:
Address : 19th Floor, World Trade Centre 2, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 29-31, Jakarta Selatan 12920, Indonesia
Tel : (62 21) 8086 9730
Fax : (62 21) 2952 2613
Email: hketo_jkt@hketojakarta.gov.hk
Ends/Thursday, July 27, 2017
Issued at HKT 0:30
Issued at HKT 0:30
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