The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (November 17) attended related meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

     Mrs Lam arrived in Port Moresby yesterday afternoon (November 16) and had dinner with Hong Kong, China's representatives to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), Ms Marjorie Yang, Dr Jonathan Choi and Mr Nicholas Ho to thank them for reflecting the views of Hong Kong's business sector in the ABAC. Established in 1996 as a permanent business advisory body, the ABAC provides advice to APEC on business sector priorities.

     In the morning today, Mrs Lam attended the Women Political Leaders Breakfast Roundtable held on the sidelines of the APEC meetings, where she shared with the participants the initiatives in support of women and family-friendly measures rolled out by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to provide equal opportunities for women's development. The President of Chile, Mr Sebastián Piñera Echenique, also took part in the meeting. Mrs Lam said to him that with the signing between Hong Kong and Chile of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the related Investment Agreement earlier, she hopes that FTA negotiations with the Pacific Alliance, of which Chile is a member, can be commenced as soon as possible to further promote international free trade and multilateral co-operation.

     Mrs Lam then attended the APEC CEO Summit and spoke at a discussion session on the workforce of the future. She said that as Hong Kong needs talent and labour force to maintain its competitiveness and advance economic development, the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to education including free quality kindergarten education, life-wide learning and STEM education to nurture adaptability, creativity, problem-solving ability and curiosity in the next generation to meet the needs of society. Pointing out that start-ups will be pivotal to the economy in the future and that the number of start-ups is growing in Hong Kong in recent years, she said the Government will strengthen support and create a favourable environment for them.

     Mrs Lam also attended other sessions of the APEC CEO Summit that followed and listened to the speeches by President Xi Jinping and leaders of the other economies.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad. She expressed her gratitude to Malaysia for its support for Hong Kong in the signing of the FTA and the related Investment Agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last year and for the acceptance by the Finance Minister of Malaysia of the invitation extended by the HKSAR Government to attend the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong in January next year. She said that trade between Hong Kong and Malaysia grew remarkably last year and that quite a number of Malaysian students choose to study in Hong Kong, including some on scholarships provided by the HKSAR Government every year. She expressed the hope that co-operation and exchanges in various areas with Malaysia will be continued to be strengthened.

     Later, Mrs Lam took part in the ABAC Dialogue with Leaders in which members exchanged views on the multilateral trading system, inclusive economic growth, digital and innovation development and the future work of the APEC. Also attended the dialogue session were the President of the Philippines, Mr Rodrigo Duterte; the Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha; the Deputy United States Trade Representative, Mr Jeffrey Gerrish, and 10 ABAC members.

     Next, Mrs Lam attended the APEC Leaders' Dialogue with Pacific Island Leaders to learn how member economies of the APEC and the Pacific island countries can work together to meet the challenges posed by climate change in the island nations.

     In the evening, Mrs Lam attended a gala dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Mr Peter O'Neill, for leaders of various economies and watched cultural performances.

     Mrs Lam will attend the APEC 2018 Economic Leaders' Meeting in Port Moresby tomorrow (November 18).

Ends/Saturday, November 17, 2018
Issued at HKT 21:31

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