The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, continued to meet with the Thai business community today (May 20) to promote Hong Kong's business opportunities during his stay in Bangkok, Thailand, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting to be held on May 21 and 22.
      
     Mr Yau first met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Thailand, Mr Supattanapong Punmeechaow, to exchange views on the economic and trade situation in the region. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on promotion of technology and innovation development between the two places in 2019, both sides agreed to further strengthen co-operation in the area of technology and innovation. In addition, Hong Kong will hold a bilateral business discussion with the Thailand Board of Investment, and Thailand representatives will attend the Belt and Road Summit to be held in August this year.
      
     Mr Yau then attended a business luncheon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). More than 100 participants attended the event.
      
     Speaking at the luncheon, he pointed out that Hong Kong enjoys excellent relations with Thailand, with a very close people-to-people bond on both business and personal levels. He shared his insights with the participants on the latest trade and economic developments in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong's important role as a gateway to the Mainland China market for Thai businesses.
       
     Thailand was the fourth largest trading partner of Hong Kong in merchandise trade among all Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states in 2021, with the total value of merchandise trade amounting to about US$20 billion.
      
     In the afternoon, Mr Yau officiated at the opening ceremony of a roving exhibition organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.
      
     At the APEC MRT Meeting tomorrow (May 21), Mr Yau will join a discussion session entitled "Supporting the Multilateral Trading System" with ministers of other member economies. He will also attend the MRT-APEC Business Advisory Council Public-Private Dialogue on the development of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific in the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, and hold bilateral meetings with other trade ministers to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.

Ends/Friday, May 20, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:04

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