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California remains a key trade partner with Hong Kong and more than US$7.8 billion of merchandise was exported from California to Hong Kong in 2012, said the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Ms Subrina Chow, at a reception in Los Angeles today (February 21, Los Angeles time).
The reception was held to celebrate the Year of the Snake. About 150 government officials and business and community leaders in Los Angeles attended.
Ms Chow said she was pleased to see that many companies in California have expanded in Hong Kong. From social networking and technology, film and television to electric car sales and wine trading, a broad range of California businesses have chosen to establish a presence in Hong Kong, she said.
Hong Kong has always been a fast-paced city that means business, Ms Chow said. "Our dynamic city has reinforced its status as an international hub for trade, finance, aviation and shipping. Hong Kong is now the premier offshore renminbi business centre and has risen to become one of the world's most prominent platforms for wine trade," she said.
Ms Chow also referred to innovation and technology, and arts and culture, as new economic sectors that Hong Kong seeks to develop with its unique strengths and advantages.
Also addressing the guests was the Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Donald Tong. He said that ties between Hong Kong and the United States continued to solidify. The US remains the single largest source of overseas companies in Hong Kong with around 1,400 firms.
He said that Hong Kong Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, in his maiden Policy Address, unveiled a number of new measures to improve air quality and the environment, particularly improving roadside air quality, reducing marine vessel emissions, and promoting electric vehicles and the recycling industry. "Some of these measures are expected to create business opportunities for local and overseas companies, including those in the US," he said.
Mr Tong said that apart from serving as an important gateway to help overseas companies enter the Mainland of China, Hong Kong also serves as a conduit to help Mainland companies to go global in reaching other markets, including the US. He said he looked forward to further strengthening the bilateral ties between Hong Kong and the US.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, hosted a series of receptions in various cities on the West Coast to celebrate Chinese New Year and to strengthen and expand the partnership between Hong Kong and the western part of the United States.
Ends/Friday, February 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:05
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