The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (January 24, Davos time) called on senior financial officials of other regions to forge closer ties on economic and trade co-operation with Hong Kong while attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

     This morning, Mr Chan held separate meetings with the Minister for Finance and the Public Service of Australia, Mr Mathias Cormann; and Chile's Minister of Finance, Mr Felipe Larraín Bascuñán. He expressed Hong Kong's interest in pursuing comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreements with these countries to bolster bilateral trade and investment activities.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan discussed with the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform of Ireland, Mr Paschal Donohoe, the latest developments of the global economy and other items of mutual interest.
 
     Mr Chan said he was pleased to see Mr Donohoe again following their previous meeting in Ireland last year. He pointed out that Hong Kong, as an international financial and trade centre, is an excellent gateway for Irish enterprises to enter the market in the Mainland of China. He welcomed them to leverage on Hong Kong to expand their reach.

     Mr Chan also attended a gathering of financial leaders under the World Economic Forum which focused on financial technology and building agile and stable financial systems.

     Yesterday (January 23, Davos time) joined by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, Mr Chan met with the UK's Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox, to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral trade.
 
     Mr Chan remarked that Hong Kong and the UK have strong and long-standing ties and are close trading and business partners. He looked forward to forging closer economic and trade ties with the UK, including exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement in future.

     Mr Chan will leave Switzerland tomorrow (January 25, Davos time) and return to Hong Kong in the morning this Saturday (January 26, Hong Kong time).

Ends/Friday, January 25, 2019
Issued at HKT 6:33

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