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Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) organised Chinese New Year receptions in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time), and Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time), bringing together over 220 guests from local business, public and community sectors in the two countries. 

     Jointly organised by Brussels ETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), with the support of the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, the reception in Barcelona was held to coincide with the Mobile World Congress (MWC), and was well attended by guests including the Hong Kong innovation and technology (I&T) delegation attending the MWC, as well as local start-ups, enterprises and related institutions.

     In her welcoming remarks, the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted that I&T had become a new growth engine for Hong Kong. "We are building a more complete innovation value chain, one that integrates basic research, commercialisation and advanced manufacturing," she said. 

     Ms Yung also mentioned that Hong Kong achieved a new milestone of having over 5 200 start-ups last year, representing an 11 per cent year-on-year increase. She encouraged European companies, talent and students to come to Hong Kong to leverage the opportunities arising from the rapid development of the I&T sector and related infrastructure in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Northern Metropolis.

     Hong Kong's wine and liquor trade as well as related business opportunities were the special focus of the reception in Dublin. Together with the HKTDC and InvestHK, with the support of the Dublin Chamber, Brussels ETO held a business seminar before the reception with the local liquor trade to promote the business opportunities that Hong Kong offers as a leading hub for wine and liquor trading and auctions, following Hong Kong's reduction of duty on liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent in 2024.  

     Ms Yung also highlighted Hong Kong's premier role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and Asia, with the city strategically located at the heart of the region with world-class transport connectivity. She encouraged Irish wine and liquor traders to leverage Hong Kong as a regional hub for trading, distribution, and auctions to expand their market share on the Chinese Mainland and across the wider Asia-Pacific region.
 
Ends/Thursday, March 12, 2026
Issued at HKT 5:07
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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, speaking at the Chinese New Year reception in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows (from left) Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO Mr Kasper Ng; the President of the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, Mr Ricardo Ferrer; the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Director of France, Spain and Portugal of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Christopher Lai; and the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong Brussels office, Ms Paula Kant, toasting at the Chinese New Year reception in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows local guests attending the Chinese New Year reception in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, speaking at the Chinese New Year reception in Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows (from left) the Chief Executive Officer of the Dublin Chamber, Ms Mary Rose Burke; Deputy Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong Brussels Office Mr Fernando De La Cal Gonzalez; the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Director of United Kingdom, Nordics and Ireland of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Joey Ko; and Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO Mr Kasper Ng, toasting at the Chinese New Year reception in Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows local guests mingling after the business seminar in Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time).