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"One country, two systems" has made Hong Kong the "super-connector" that facilitates connections under the Belt and Road Initiative, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, said at a business seminar in Vilnius, Lithuania, today (May 25, Vilnius time).
Addressing the seminar, co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, as well as Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr So said Hong Kong is an international gateway to Mainland China which offers unique physical and intangible connectivity to the Mainland with privileged trade and social access. On the other hand, Hong Kong has a well-established system that connects Hong Kong to the international community in terms of its legal system, language, trade practices and lifestyle which international traders are familiar with.
"Traders in all sectors, and from all jurisdictions, can trade freely in Hong Kong. And all persons, businesses and organisations, regardless of their nationality, are treated exactly the same. Every business in Hong Kong can enjoy the same privileges and benefits provided by our international agreements," he added.
Hence, Hong Kong has always been a preferred location for hosting regional headquarters or trading offices for multinational companies to manage their businesses in the Asia-Pacific region. He invited more Lithuanian enterprises to come to Hong Kong and tap the massive business opportunities in the Belt and Road markets.
Before the seminar, Mr So visited a start-up accelerator, Startup Highway, to learn about the start-up scene in Lithuania. He then paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Mr Algirdas Butkevičius. They discussed the massive business opportunities for countries along the Belt and Road including Lithuania. Both parties looked forward to strengthening economic co-operation between Hong Kong and Lithuania. In the afternoon, Mr So will meet with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Mr Raimundas Karoblis.
Yesterday (May 24, Vilnius time), Mr So had meetings with the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Culture, Mr Arnas Neverauskas, and the Minister of Economy, Mr Evaldas Gustas, to exchange views on issues of mutual concern. In addition, he called on the Chinese Embassy in Lithuania and visited the Vilnius University Joint Life Sciences Centre and the Visoriai Information Technology Park.
Mr So will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 26).
Ends/Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:02
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