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"Hong Kong will continue to offer a wide range of business opportunities for companies and people in Australia," the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO), Mr Arthur Au, said at the Chinese New Year reception held in Melbourne on February 26.
Speaking to more than 200 business, community and political leaders, Mr Au said that under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong's unique advantages - a free market economy, a simple and low tax regime, an independent judiciary, free flow of capital and freedom of speech and assembly - as well as its close economic and trade relationship with Mainland China continue to underpin the city's success.
"Last November, the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect was launched, allowing investors all over the world to invest in the Shanghai Stock Exchange through the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and vice versa. Discussion on similar connection with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange has also started," Mr Au said.
"On March 1, a new agreement for basic liberalisation for trade in services between Hong Kong and Guangdong will come into effect, opening up over 95 per cent of services trade subsectors in Guangdong to the Hong Kong services industry. All these will provide greater business opportunities for companies and people in Australia," Mr Au said.
"Hong Kong will continue to seek every opportunity to improve its position as a premier gateway to Mainland China, including making investments in infrastructure to enhance its connectivity. It will also take a more proactive approach to recruiting overseas talent and professionals from outside Hong Kong, such as introduction of a pilot scheme to attract the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who had emigrated overseas to work in Hong Kong," Mr Au added.
Mr Au gave his assurance that the HKETO would continue to work even more closely with companies and people in Australia in capitalising on business opportunities offered by Hong Kong.
The HKETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Australia Business Association and the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association are jointly hosting Chinese New Year receptions in major cities of Australia and New Zealand between February 24 and March 11 to celebrate the Year of the Ram. The HKETO is taking the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong's artistic talents to guests at the receptions.
Ends/Friday, February 27, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:13
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