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The Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung, expressed optimism with the growing trade trends between the US and Hong Kong, and between Florida and the city, at a spring reception in Miami yesterday (February 19, Miami time).
Total US exports to Hong Kong increased by 13 per cent last year over 2012's figure to reach US$42.5 billion, according to the latest statistics released by the US Department of Commerce. The exports from Florida jumped by 41 per cent to a total of US$1.3 billion in 2013, making Hong Kong the number one Asian export destination for the Sunshine State.
Speaking at the spring reception, Mr Leung said the US is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner after Mainland China. "Although we are a city of just 7 million people, we were the ninth largest export destination for the US in 2013. This is one place higher from the 10th position in 2012," he added.
Also speaking at the reception, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY), Miss Anita Chan, highlighted the increasingly closer trade ties between Hong Kong and Florida. The top three Florida exports to Hong Kong in 2013 were computer and electronic products, primary metal products and chemicals.
Miss Chan also noted that the ties between Hong Kong and Florida grew closer with the recent opening of Enterprise Florida's new representative office in Hong Kong. Enterprise Florida is the main economic development organisation for the state of Florida. The Hong Kong office, which serves as the headquarters of Enterprise Florida's operations for Greater China, is responsible for two-way trade between Greater China and Florida as well as foreign direct investment promotion.
The reception was co-organised by HKETONY and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and supported by the Hong Kong Association of Florida. About 125 guests from the business, commerce and political sectors attended the reception.
Earlier, on February 18, Mr Leung and Miss Chan attended a spring reception cum "The Grandmaster" movie screening in Atlanta organised by HKETONY. Speaking at the reception, Miss Chan pointed out that Hong Kong has a long-standing business and cultural partnership with Atlanta and the state of Georgia. Last year, Georgia exported more than US$650 million worth of goods to Hong Kong, making Hong Kong the state's fifth largest Asian export destination. More than 200 guests attended the reception in Atlanta.
During his first duty visit to Atlanta on February 18, the Commissioner paid a courtesy call on the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, Mr Casey Cagle, and met with the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Mr Dennis Lockhart. Later, in Miami, the Commissioner met with the Mayor of Miami, Mr Tomás Regalado, and the Director of the Port of Miami, Mr Bill Johnson. He updated them on the economic performance of Hong Kong as well as exchanged views on business opportunities in the respective cities.
Ends/Thursday, February 20, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:51
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