HKETO Newsroom

January 19, 2023

HKETO and HKTB host joint Lunar New Year reception

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Toronto (HKETO) and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) (HKTB) jointly held a Lunar New Year reception in Toronto on January 19 to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.

In her welcoming remarks at the reception, the Director of HKETO, Ms Emily Mo, updated some 120 guests on the latest developments of Hong Kong. “Over the past couple of months, Hong Kong has been on the path of orderly and progressive reopening. We completely cancelled the hotel quarantine requirement, host major business, sports and cultural events, and began to resume normal travel with the Mainland," Ms Mo said.

On the economic front, Ms Mo pointed out that Hong Kong has been recognised as the world's freest economy, the world's third global financial centre and the fifth most competitive economy.  She noted that global forecasts are not optimistic in the short term.  However, with Hong Kong's institutional strengths and core competitiveness, and the continuing and wide-ranging support from the Mainland, Hong Kong's strengths as an international financial centre linking the Mainland and the rest of the world are primed to proliferate.

"Under the clear direction of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, we are actively enhancing our strength as an international financial centre. That means boosting our niche as a global offshore Renminbi hub, and an international asset management and risk management centre.  This includes a continuing expansion of the mutual access between the financial markets of the Mainland and Hong Kong, to the great benefit of our capital market.  The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development also enhances our role in fostering economic growth and competitiveness of the economy," Ms Mo continued.

Turning to strategic enterprises and human capital, Ms Mo highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has launched new institutional setups and implemented an array of new initiatives to attract enterprises, investment and talent to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness.  

On Hong Kong-Canada relations, Ms Mo was glad that business association and venture capitalist in Canada signed Memoranda of Understanding with their Hong Kong counterparts in the last quarter. This signifies further advancement of collaboration in business, investment and international trade between the two places.

During the reception, the Director for Canada, Central and South Americas of the HKTB, Mr Michael Lim, revealed the tourism marketing plans for Canada in 2023. "We are very excited that Hong Kong has reopened to visitors. Returning visitors will have new travel experiences and see new attractions, including the iconic M+ Museum, the West Kowloon Cultural District and the upgraded Peak Tram. There are big plans in the pipeline to welcome back travellers. We will soon launch a global promotional campaign, 'Hello Hong Kong', which will showcase Hong Kong's iconic appeals and new experiences. In addition, we're working closely with the travel trade to develop new and exciting travel packages. Visitors can also expect mega-events to return. We already have more than 200 events and happenings for 2023. We look forward to welcoming back Canadian visitors," he said.

A highlight of the reception was a special magic performance by renowned Hong Kong magician Louis Yan. Yan is the first and only Hong Kong magician that has won magic competitions in both America and Europe, including the Merlin Award and the Magic Hall of Fame award. He has also broken two Guinness World Records in these few years. Yan will continue to perform on various occasions during his Canada tour, including a charity gala in Toronto on January 21 and a reception hosted by HKETO and the HKTB in Vancouver on January 24.

January 19, 2023

香港經貿處與香港旅發局合辦農曆新年招待會

香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處(香港經貿處)與香港旅遊發展局(加拿大)(香港旅發局)於一月十九日在多倫多合辦農曆新年招待會,慶祝兔年來臨。

香港經貿處處長巫菀菁在招待會致歡迎辭,向120多位嘉賓介紹香港的最新發展。巫菀菁表示:「過去數月,香港已經逐步有序重開,全面取消酒店檢疫要求,並舉辦大型商貿、體育及文化活動,以及開始恢復與內地通關。」

在經濟方面,巫菀菁指出,香港獲評選為全球最自由經濟體、全球第三大金融中心及第五大最具競爭力經濟體。她表示,全球預測短期前景不會有很多利好消息,然而,憑藉香港的制度優勢和核心競爭力,以及內地的持續廣泛支持,香港作為國際金融中心擁有連接內地及世界其他地區的優勢,前途可望一片光明。

巫菀菁續說:「在國家《十四五規劃綱要》的明確方向下,香港正積極提升其作為國際金融中心的優勢,當中包括提升香港作為全球離岸人民幣樞紐及國際資產管理和風險管理中心的地位,並持續擴展內地與香港金融市場的互聯互通,這對香港的資本市場大有裨益。粵港澳大灣區發展亦進一步增強香港在促進經濟增長與競爭力方面的角色。」

至於策略性企業及人力資本方面,巫菀菁強調,香港特別行政區政府推出了新體制架構,實施一系列新措施,招商引資引才,強化香港競爭力。

港加關係方面,巫菀菁喜見加拿大有商會和投資者與香港業界在上一個季度簽署合作備忘錄,這標誌着港加兩地在經貿、投資及國際貿易方面的進一步合作。

香港旅發局加拿大及中南部美洲總監林兒銘在招待會上展望二○二三年在加拿大的旅遊事務推廣計劃。他表示:「我們很高興香港已重新開放旅遊。重臨香港的旅客將會有新的旅遊體驗及觀光景點,包括地標M+博物館、西九文化區及已優化的山頂纜車。我們正在籌備大型計劃重新歡迎旅客到香港旅遊。香港旅發局亦即將推出一項名為『你好,香港』的全球推廣活動,展示香港獨特的魅力,給予旅客全新體驗。此外,我們正與旅遊業界緊密合作,推出豐富嶄新的旅遊套餐。多項大型盛事亦將重臨香港,單在二○二三年我們已經準備舉辦200多場大小活動。我們期待並歡迎加拿大旅客的到來。」

招待會特別安排了香港著名魔術師甄澤權作特備魔術表演。甄澤權是首位也是唯一一位香港魔術師在美國及歐洲的魔術比賽中獲獎,包括梅林獎及魔術名人堂獎,過去幾年他更刷新兩項健力士世界紀錄。甄澤權在加拿大巡迴演出期間,將在多項不同活動,包括一月二十一日在多倫多舉行的慈善晚宴,以及一月二十四日在溫哥華由香港經貿處及香港旅發局合辦的招待會上表演。