HKETO, Brussels promotes Belt and Road opportunities in Hong Kong to businesses in Trieste, Italy (English only) (with photos)
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The Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Miss Alice Choi, outlined Hong Kong's business advantages, noting that 350 companies from Italy were among some 7 600 Mainland China and overseas companies already seizing opportunities in Hong Kong. The Italian companies spanned various industry and service sectors, including banking, food and wine, luxury goods, transportation, automotive manufacturing, trading and retail.
Underlining Hong Kong's simple taxation system with low rates, she said that one of the most exciting developments in this regard was the entry into force on August 10 last year of the avoidance of double taxation agreement between Italy and Hong Kong. Foreign companies could benefit from Hong Kong's free trade agreement with Mainland China, the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and from the Mainland’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative.
"The Belt and Road Initiative will provide new impetus to global maritime activities and a wealth of opportunity to the shipping, logistics and related sectors," she said. New trade routes would emerge amongst the 60-plus economies along the land and sea corridors of the Belt and Road. Transportation nodes and maritime hubs will grow. As one of the top ports in the world, one of the largest shipping communities and strong maritime services covering ship agency, management, chartering and broking, finance, marine insurance as well as maritime legal and arbitration services, Hong Kong was destined to play an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative.
"Hong Kong takes pride in the fact that it has always been the 'super-connector' connecting the Mainland with the rest of the world, and we stand ready to help Italian companies seize the opportunities this project will provide," she added.
Miss Choi also informed participants that the first-ever Hong Kong Maritime Industry Week was being held in Hong Kong this week, on November 20-27, with its signature event, the 6th Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference.
The seminar in Trieste, entitled "Hong Kong and the Port of Trieste on the 'Silk Road of the 21st Century'", was organised by the International Propeller Club, Port of Trieste, in cooperation with the Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare Adriatico Orientale (Port Authority of the eastern Adriatic Sea), Port of Trieste. The event was supported by The International Propeller Clubs; HKETO, Brussels; Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC); Invest Hong Kong; and the Italy-Hong Kong Association.
Other speakers were the President of the International Propeller Club, Port of Trieste, Mr Fabrizio Zerbini; the President of the Port Authority of the eastern Adriatic Sea, Port of Trieste, Mr Zeno D'Agostino; the President of the International Propeller Club, Port of Milan, Mr Riccardo Fuochi; Italy Director, HKTDC, Mr Gianluca Mirante; and Investment Promotion Executive Italy, Invest Hong Kong, Mr Stefano De Paoli.
Ends/Friday, November 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 0:43
Issued at HKT 0:43
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