The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok (Bangkok ETO) commenced operation today (February 28). The opening of the third Economic and Trade Office established by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region is set to further strengthen Hong Kong's economic and trade relations with the region for more new business opportunities.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Dr Somkid Jatusripitak; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr Lyu Jian; and the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mr Bernard Chan, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Bangkok ETO in Bangkok, Thailand today.
 
     Addressing the opening ceremony, Mrs Lam, said that the establishment of the Bangkok Office is a clear and compelling statement of the importance of ASEAN to Hong Kong, noting that ASEAN is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner since 2010.

     Looking ahead, Mrs Lam expected the Bangkok ETO to play the role of facilitator to connect businesses and organisations between Hong Kong and Thailand, and serve as a catalyst to take the cooperation of both sides to new heights and fresh directions.

     Thailand is Hong Kong's ninth largest merchandise trading partner and one of the closest partners among the ASEAN members, with potentials in various target areas for Hong Kong, including information and communications technology industry, consumer products and logistics industry. Thai enterprises in these industries will proactively expand their international business under the Belt and Road Initiative. They thus see enormous potentials in making investment or increasing investment in Hong Kong.
 
     The geographical coverage of the Bangkok ETO includes Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Bangladesh, which is another country with great development potentials. The ETOs in Singapore and Jakarta will continue to cover other countries in the ASEAN region.
 
     The location and contact details of the Bangkok ETO are as follows:
 
Address: Sathorn Square, 21st Floor, Office Number 2107-2110, 98 North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2105 6309
Fax: +66 (0) 2105 6301
Email: general@hketobangkok.gov.hk
 
     Apart from the three ETOs in the ASEAN region, Hong Kong has currently set up 10 overseas ETOs which are responsible for maintaining close contact with local government officials, trade unions and media organisations etc. They arrange or co-organise promotional events with other overseas Hong Kong organisations to promote Hong Kong's advantages and latest developments.

Ends/Thursday, February 28, 2019
Issued at HKT 20:26

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