The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation and arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (July 27). He met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and had exchanges with leaders of local commercial and industrial sectors.
      
     In the morning, Mr Lee met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Noting that Malaysia is Hong Kong's ninth-largest trading partner and the third-largest among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr Lee said that the bilateral trade in goods between the two places last year recorded a year-on-year increase of seven per cent, reaching US$28.1 billion. He added that the HKSAR Government will further strengthen co-operation and exchanges with Malaysia in such areas as commerce and trade, investment, innovation and technology, as well as culture and tourism. He also expressed his gratitude to Malaysia for supporting Hong Kong's accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
      
     Mr Lee expressed to the Prime Minister that he welcomed and thanked the Malaysia Government's extension of the visa-free entry period for HKSAR passport holders to Malaysia from up to one month to 90 days. He said that such an arrangement provides greater entry facilitation for HKSAR passport holders to Malaysia and will further enhance the connections and mutual benefits between the two places.
      
     Mr Lee then attended a luncheon hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Malaysia, Mr Ouyang Yujing. Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Ouyang and the Embassy for the thoughtful arrangements for this visit and the support to the HKSAR Government's efforts to strive for early accession to the RCEP.
      
     In the evening, the delegation led by Mr Lee attended a dinner banquet with members of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia. Addressing the dinner, Mr Lee said that there is immense potential for strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Malaysia in the areas of trade, investment and beyond. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta will continue to work closely with the Chamber and the local business community to enhance bilateral relationships.
      
     Mr Lee will continue his visit programme in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow (July 28). He will visit local enterprises and attend a business luncheon jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to exchange views with local business leaders.

Ends/Thursday, July 27, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:30

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