The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, visited Jakarta, Indonesia today (April 25) to enhance Hong Kong’s collaboration with Indonesia as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

     In the morning, Mrs Lam and the other officials called on the Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, Mr Huang Xilian to learn about the latest developments in the relationship between the nation and ASEAN. She said that with the staunch support of the Central Government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government seeks to expand its external relations proactively, including the participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthening of co-operation with the ten ASEAN countries. She thanked the Ambassador for supporting the relevant work by the HKSAR Government all along.

     Mrs Lam and the other officials then met with the President of Indonesia, Mr Joko Widodo. Mrs Lam said she was pleased that since she met Mr Joko Widodo in May last year in her capacity as the Chief Executive-elect, ties between the two places have grown closer, covering not only economic, trade and investment aspects but also culture, student exchange and training of railway personnel. She said that it is her first visit to Indonesia, which is also the first ASEAN country she visits after the signing of the Free Trade Agreement and a related Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN last November, making the trip particularly meaningful to her.

     Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong and Indonesia may explore collaboration in various aspects. With Hong Kong's active participation in the national Belt and Road Initiative, she said that she would be pleased to see more developments of Hong Kong enterprises and professional services in Indonesia and that the HKSAR Government will take part by sharing its wealth of experience in such aspects as city management and maintaining a clean government with countries along the Belt and Road including Indonesia. She also welcomed more Indonesian students to study in Hong Kong to enhance people-to-people bonds.

     Noting that Hong Kong hopes to further advance regional trade and economic co-operation, Mrs Lam appealed for support of Indonesia for Hong Kong's participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership which is under negotiation.

     Mrs Lam also expressed her gratitude to Mr Joko Widodo for the valuable contributions by some 160 000 Indonesian domestic helpers in Hong Kong to the families and the economy of the city. She said the HKSAR Government is committed to protecting their rights and benefits in Hong Kong so that they can live and work in the city at ease.

     At noon, Mrs Lam and the other officials attended a luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong to promote to the Indonesian business sector Hong Kong's advantages and the opportunities that Hong Kong and Indonesia can seize together under the Belt and Road Initiative. Addressing the luncheon, Mrs Lam said that a Free Trade Agreement and a related Investment Agreement were signed between Hong Kong and ASEAN last November, which cover trade in goods and services, investment, economic and technical co-operation, and dispute settlement mechanisms, bringing the co-operation between Hong Kong and ASEAN to a new level. She said that with the advantage of "One Country, Two Systems", excellent environment for doing business and quality professional services, Hong Kong is well-positioned to help Indonesian enterprises explore the unlimited business opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam visited the ASEAN Secretariat to learn about its operation. She and Mr Yau then went to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta to visit the staff members. The office was officially opened in July last year. 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.

     Mrs Lam and the other officials called on the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Xiao Qian in the evening. She thanked the embassy for its support for various work in relation to exchanges between Hong Kong and Indonesia and its assistance provided to Hong Kong people in need.

     Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning (April 26).

Ends/Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Issued at HKT 22:59

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