The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, started his duty visit in Madrid, Spain yesterday (September 7, Madrid time) to promote bilateral relations between Hong Kong and Spain.
 
     Speaking at a breakfast meeting at CEOE, a major Spanish businessmen association, Mr So said that the "one country, two systems" had made Hong Kong the "super-connector" between the rest of China and the rest of the world, including the Belt and Road economies. He invited more Spanish companies to come to Hong Kong and make full use of its advantages in tapping the massive Belt and Road markets. 
 
     After the breakfast meeting, Mr So met with High Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros, to exchange views on promoting co-operation between Hong Kong and Spain. Mr So also met with the Secretary of State for Commerce of the Ministry of Economy and Competition of Spain, Mr Jaime Garcia-Legaz, to discuss bilateral trade and economic issues.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr So met with the Director General of Innovation and Promotion of the City of Madrid, Mr Roberto Sánchez Sánchez. Mr So updated him on the development opportunities of Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem, as well as on the leading edge in key areas of the city's creative industries. Mr So also took the opportunity to visit Madrid Contemporary Arts Centre, which promotes creation among artists in Madrid.  
 
     Later on, Mr So visited Google Campus Madrid, and met with the senior management of a Spanish start-up which has established an office in Hong Kong, to learn more about the start-up scene in Spain. He also met with the Director General of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Ms Inmaculada Riera.
 
     In the evening, Mr So attended a dinner hosted by the Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Spain, Mr Huang Yazhong.
 
     Mr So departed Madrid for Lima, Peru today (September 8, Madrid time), where he will attend the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting to be held tomorrow.

Ends/Thursday, September 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 10:36

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