Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a spring cocktail reception hosted by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce today (February 22):
 
     I would now like to say a few words in English. It is my great pleasure to join you all here to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I wish all of you good health, happiness and prosperity in the Year of the Dog.
 
     The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce has been a very close partner of the Hong Kong SAR Government in promoting the development of trade and industries in Hong Kong. In particular, the Chamber has been supporting Hong Kong's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development. These two national initiatives, together with the Free Trade Agreement signed between Hong Kong and the ASEAN last year, are set to be the engines of our economic growth. I would like to thank the Chamber for its efforts in the past year, and look forward to working closely with the Chamber to enable our business sector to grasp the opportunities ahead of us.
 
     Thank you very much and 恭喜發財 (Kung Hei Fat Choy)!

Ends/Thursday, February 22, 2018
Issued at HKT 14:31

NNNN