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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, today (May 15) appealed to Japanese companies for closer partnerships with their counterparts in Hong Kong and bilateral collaboration in the field of creative industries.
Mr So, who is on a five-day visit to Japan, continued his programme in Tokyo. He spoke at the "Think Global, Think Hong Kong" Symposium and a gala dinner organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under a trade promotion campaign to bring together representatives from the Japanese business sector and a delegation of about 130 senior business leaders and professionals from Hong Kong.
Delivering a keynote speech at the symposium, Mr So said Hong Kong's diverse and vibrant service sector makes it a one-stop shop for companies wishing to expand their presence in the Mainland and around the world.
"Japanese firms that are incorporated in Hong Kong can enjoy full benefits of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) in accessing the Mainland markets. Hong Kong also prides itself as China's global financial centre and has a good track record in raising capital and managing assets. These are the advantages which Japanese companies can leverage on in tapping the Mainland market," he said.
At the symposium, Mr So witnessed the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the HKTDC and the Japan External Trade Organisation.
Mr So also visited the "Tian Tian Xiang Shang" statue exhibition, where he viewed with interest the exhibits created by designers and students in Hong Kong and Japan. At the Creative Asia Forum, he delivered a keynote speech and shared with participants the edge that Hong Kong enjoys in developing itself as the creative capital in the region.
Afterwards, Mr So visited the headquarters of Nissan Motor Company Limited at Yokohama and met with its Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing Communications, Mr Simon Sproule. Mr So was glad to know that Infiniti, a luxury car brand of Nissan, has recently based its global functions in Hong Kong with the assistance of Invest Hong Kong.
"The company's expansion plan once again affirmed Hong Kong's favoured position as a preferred location for overseas multinationals," he said.
In addition, Mr So met with the Senior Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Ryuji Yamane. Both Mr So and Mr Yamane were glad to see the relationships between Hong Kong and Japan had continued to strengthen. Looking ahead, Mr So said he wished to see more Japanese companies establish their regional base in Hong Kong, and an increasing flow of investment, talent and expertise between the two places.
He also met with the Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Mr Keiro Kitagami, to exchange views on issues of mutual concern, in addition to attending a luncheon of the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League to brief them on the latest developments in Hong Kong. The League was established in 1992 and is made up of members of the Japanese Diet (Parliament).
Mr So will officiate at the Chinese Food Exhibition 2012 organised by the Association of Chinese Cuisine in Tokyo tomorrow (May 16) and will head to Osaka in the afternoon.
Ends/Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:14
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