The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (April 9) met with the visiting Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte, at Government House.
 
     Mr Cheung and Mr Rutte jointly officiated earlier today at the opening ceremony of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Central Plaza, Wan Chai.
 
     Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Cheung extended a warm welcome to Mr Rutte, the first Dutch Prime Minister ever to visit Hong Kong, and pointed out that Hong Kong is well placed to play an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development.
 
     He stressed that Hong Kong stands ready to partner with Dutch businesses to seize the enormous opportunities brought about by both major initiatives.
 
    Mr Cheung and Mr Rutte also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Hong Kong and the Netherlands concerning the Working Holiday Arrangement by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, and the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong, Ms Annemieke Ruigrok.
 
     The agreement marks the establishment of a bilateral Working Holiday Scheme for young people of Hong Kong and the Netherlands. The Scheme will commence on January 1, 2019 and provides an annual quota of 100.
 
     Welcoming the establishment of the Scheme with the Netherlands, Mr Cheung said, "The Scheme will open doors further for our young people to foster broader, deeper and more frequent cultural, academic and talent exchanges."
 
    Mr Cheung also hosted a luncheon for Mr Rutte at Government House following a bilateral meeting to explore further collaboration between both places.

Ends/Monday, April 9, 2018
Issued at HKT 14:04

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