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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, attended a seminar titled "RMB Internationalisation - Opportunities in Paris and Hong Kong" on November 21 (Paris time), co-organised by Paris EUROPLACE, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, which highlighted some of the exciting developments in Hong Kong's offshore Renminbi business.
Speaking at the seminar, Mr Tsang said that as China's global financial centre, Hong Kong has been deeply involved in the nation's financial liberalisation, and he looked forward to co-operating with friends in Paris to promote the wider use of the Renminbi in France and around the world.
"Minister Moscovici and I share the view that closer collaboration between Paris and Hong Kong on the development of Renminbi business should be promoted at every turn. This will enable corporate and financial institutions in both markets to capture the opportunities arising from the wider use of Renminbi to a fuller extent," he added.
Mr Tsang also held a meeting with the French Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr Pierre Moscovici. Both sides agreed on the great potential for further co-operation in promoting the Renminbi as an international currency.
At a luncheon in Paris attended by the city's leading businessmen, Mr Tsang said that Hong Kong will continue to play a leading role in developing offshore Renminbi business. Hong Kong has the right experience and the right contacts to assist French firms in developing their Renminbi business, he added.
Mr Tsang also called on the Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in France, Mr Deng Li, in the morning.
With the conclusion of his visit, Mr Tsang will return to London in the afternoon and arrive at Hong Kong today (November 22).
Ends/Friday, November 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 04:55
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