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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco promoted the Olympic Equestrian events at the Sing Tao Expo 2008, one of the largest trade shows in the Bay Area.
Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Ms Doris Cheung, was an officiating guest at the Sing Tao Expo. "Like San Francisco, Hong Kong is also a perfect place for conventions, exhibitions and trade shows. With Hong Kong's professional and quality services, global connectivity and strategic location as the gateway city of Mainland China and strong network of Chinese and international buyers, Hong Kong just won the Best MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition) City Award in the 2008 Industry Awards organised by CEI Asia Pacific Magazine," she said.
"The government is committed to enhancing the appeal of Hong Kong as an international convention, exhibition and tourism capital. Towards this end, the Government will work closely with the convention and exhibition, tourism and hotel industries to improve Hong Kong's competitive edge by seeking to host more mega international events.
"On infrastructure development, the exhibition area of the Hong Kong Convention Centre will increase by 42% with the completion of the atrium link extension in 2009. To cater for longer term demand, the Government is exploring with AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) the early commencement of the phase II expansion, which will increase the AWE exhibition area to 100,000 square metres. In parallel, the Government will endeavour to build on our existing pool of local and international talent, and work hand-in-hand with training institutes, universities and employers in the field to ensure the supply of quality human resources which is a key to success.
"The upcoming Olympic Equestrian events to be held in Hong Kong this summer are a good example to showcase Hong Kong as a perfect host for international events," Ms Cheung concluded.
With nearly 200 exhibitors, the two-day event, held May 17-18, 2008, at the San Mateo County Expo Centre, attracted tens of thousands of people. This is the third annual trade show organised by Sing Tao Newspapers (SF) Ltd.
Over 20 banners featuring different aspects of Hong Kong from the equestrian events to working and living in Hong Kong were displayed at the trade show.
Ends/Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:05
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