The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, Mr Simon Coveney, at the Chief Executive's Office this morning (March 12).
 
     Welcoming Mr Coveney's first visit to Hong Kong, Mrs Lam said she visited Dublin, Ireland, in 2015 in the capacity of the Chief Secretary for Administration and left with a deep impression of the city. Noting that Hong Kong and Ireland have had close relations over the years, she said that with the introduction of direct flights between Dublin and Hong Kong in June this year, the ties of businesses and people in the two places are set to be enhanced.
 
     Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong is presented with tremendous opportunities by participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. She encouraged Irish companies and talent to leverage on Hong Kong's unique role to explore business development opportunities in the city and the Mainland. Noting that Ireland is home to the headquarters of many leading multinational corporations in information technology and has vibrant creative industries, she said that Hong Kong is also keen to develop those industries. With the development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the launch of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Design Innovation Hub in Qianhai, she said she looks forward to more collaboration between the two places. She added that small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups are particularly welcome to set up businesses in Hong Kong, which has rich experience and excellent facilities to help their growth.

Ends/Monday, March 12, 2018
Issued at HKT 20:36

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