HKETO Director promotes Hong Kong- Canada business ties during visit to Vancouver and Ottawa
The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO), Mr Bill Wong, visited Vancouver and Ottawa from September 19 to 24 to promote Hong Kong’s business opportunities and strengthen economic ties with Canada.
Speaking at the “Canada x Asia: Go Global Connections” networking reception organised by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) (Vancouver Section) on September 21 in welcoming delegates from the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong representing the green technology, sustainability, and life and health sciences sectors, Mr Wong updated participants on the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced by the Chief Executive last week.
In particular, Mr Wong pointed out that the Plan is a strategic blueprint guiding Hong Kong’s efforts in fully leveraging its strengths to serve the dual objectives of contributing to the country’s development, while building a better future for Hong Kong in the coming five years.
“We will strengthen the ‘four centres and one hub’ through consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as international financial, maritime, and trade centres as well as an international aviation hub, while expediting the city’s development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent,” he said.
Mr Wong also highlighted the expedited development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, strategically positioning as an integrated hub for “talent cultivation, scientific research, transformation of outcomes, and industrial development”, in a bid to achieve the integrated development of education, technology and talent.
“Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan reflects our firm commitment to capturing national development opportunities, leveraging our unique advantages, and maintaining a competitive business environment for enterprises from around the world,” he added. “Our GoGlobal Task Force, established last October, has already assisted more than 340 Chinese Mainland enterprises in setting up or expanding their businesses in Hong Kong. I also encourage Canadian enterprises to consider allocating more assets to Hong Kong.”
On September 22, Mr Wong attended the “Discover Hong Kong through stories” luncheon organised by the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre Learning Lab. Mr Wong shared the latest developments of Hong Kong as an international financial centre and the global asset and wealth management hub in Asia, how Hong Kong serves as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, and Hong Kong’s advantages as one of the world’s most popular regions for family offices.
Earlier upon arrival in Vancouver, Mr Wong visited Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and the Polygon Gallery to explore collaboration opportunities. He has also met with the representatives of the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver and the Canada Confederation of Shenzhen Associations, and visited the ClimateDoor of Northeastern University for exchanges. He paid a courtesy call on Consul General Fu Fengshan of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
In the second leg of his visit, Mr Wong travelled to Ottawa to attend the “Mid-Autum Review: Canada-China Roundtable” organised by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Ottawa Section) on September 23.
At the meeting, Mr Wong reiterated the deep-rooted economic ties between Canada and Hong Kong. He noted that the two sides signed the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement 10 years ago, demonstrating their commitment to facilitating investment and strengthening bilateral ties. Today, the partnership has grown even more important with Canada’s diversification goal and Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” connecting Canada with Asia. Senator Yuen Pau Woo, as well as Members of the Parliament Yasir Naqvi, Michael Ma and Zoe Royer also attended the meeting.
香港經貿辦處長在溫哥華及渥太華推廣港加經貿關係
香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處（香港經貿辦）處長王國彪於九月十九日至二十四日訪問溫哥華及渥太華，旨在推廣香港的商機，並加強與加拿大的經貿聯繫。
九月二十一日，王國彪出席由港加商會（溫哥華分會）主辦的「Canada x Asia: Go Global Connections」交流活動，歡迎來自中國內地及香港的綠色科技、持續發展以及生命與健康科學領域的代表。他向與會者介紹香港特別行政區（香港特區）行政長官上星期公布的香港特別行政區經濟和社會發展第一個五年規劃。
王國彪特別指出，該規劃是一項戰略藍圖，指導香港充分發揮自身優勢，既為國家發展作出貢獻，亦為香港未來五年的發展建設更美好的未來。
他表示：「我們將強化『四中心、一高地』的建設，鞏固和提升香港國際金融、航運、貿易中心和國際航空樞紐的地位，同時加快香港發展成為國際創新科技中心和打造香港國際高端人才集聚高地。」
王國彪也強調，政府將加速發展北部都會區大學城，策略定位為「人才培育、科研、成果轉化和產業發展」的綜合樞紐，以實現教育、科技和人才的融合發展。
他補充說：「香港首個五年規劃體現了香港特區政府堅定不移地把握國家發展機會、發揮自身獨特優勢，並為全球企業營造具競爭力營商環境的承諾。我們去年十月成立的『內地企業出海專班』已協助超過340家內地企業在香港創業或拓展業務。我也鼓勵加拿大企業考慮在香港配置更多資產。」
九月二十二日，王國彪出席由溫哥華華埠基金會在華埠掌故館舉辦的「探索香港的故事」午宴。王國彪分享香港作為國際金融中心及亞洲全球資產及財富管理樞紐的最新發展，香港如何成為通往亞太地區的門戶，以及作為全球家族辦公室最青睞的其中一個地區的優勢。
王國彪抵達溫哥華後，先後參觀中山公園和Polygon畫廊，探討合作機會。他又與溫哥華中華會館和加拿大深圳社團聯合總會會面，並與東北大學ClimateDoor項目的代表進行交流。他同時拜會中華人民共和國駐溫哥華總領事傅峰山，就共同關心的議題交換意見。
在訪問的第二站，王國彪九月二十三日前往渥太華出席港加商會（渥太華分會）主辦的「中秋回顧：加中圓桌會議」。
會議上，王國彪重申加拿大及香港之間源遠流長的經濟關係。他指出，雙方十年前簽署《促進和保護投資協定》，體現加港致力促進兩地投資及加強雙邊關係的決心。隨著加拿大經濟多元化目標以及香港作為連接加拿大與亞洲的「超級聯繫人」角色，港加商貿關係更見深厚。參議員胡元豹以及國會議員Yasir Naqvi、馬榮崢及周如意也出席了會議。
王國彪於九月二十四日結束訪問行程並返回多倫多。
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