The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will depart for Bangkok, Thailand, tomorrow evening (May 18) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting to be held on May 21 and 22.
      
     APEC 2022 has adopted the theme "Open. Connect. Balance.", with discussions on topics under three priorities, namely open trade and investment to all opportunities, restoring connectivity in all dimensions, and promoting balance, sustainability and inclusivity in all aspects.
      
     Mr Yau will participate, with trade ministers of other member economies, in discussion sessions entitled "Supporting the Multilateral Trading System" and "Living in the COVID-19 and Beyond". He will also attend the MRT-APEC Business Advisory Council Public-Private Dialogue on the development of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.
      
     In addition to joining the discussion sessions of the MRT Meeting, Mr Yau will hold bilateral meetings with other trade ministers to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
      
     During his stay in Bangkok, Mr Yau will meet with senior officials of the Thai Government and business leaders to give them an update on Hong Kong's latest economic and trade situation. He will also attend celebration events to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok.
      
     Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong in the evening on Sunday (May 22). During his absence, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

Ends/Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:13

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