Spring 2018 Issued by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
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NEWS Spring 2018 Issued by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met with Belgium’s Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Lam, at the World Economic Forum Affairs, Mr Didier Reynders, in Brussels (page 2). Annual Meeting in Davos (page 4). Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte, visited Hong Kong (page 5). Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development in Brussels Mr Edward Yau (centre), with the Vice President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness of the European Commission, Mr Jyrki Katainen (right), Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic the preferential treatments in trade and investment Development, Mr Edward Yau, visited Brussels on 22-23 offered to companies based in Hong Kong under the January 2018 to promote closer ties between Hong Kong Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership the EU and Belgium. Arrangement and make use of the city’s professional services to expand their operation in Asia, particularly Mr Yau met with the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister in Mainland. and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, Mr Didier Reynders. Mr Yau said Hong Kong had At the European Commission, Mr Yau met with the always played an important role as a gateway for Vice President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and many European companies, including companies Competitiveness, Mr Jyrki Katainen. Mr Yau highlighted from Belgium interested in the Chinese and Asian the importance of Hong Kong’s trade and economic markets. He encouraged Belgian companies to ride on relationship with the EU and updated Mr Katainen that Mr Yau attended a luncheon co-hosted by the Belgium-Hong Kong Society and HKETO, Brussels. 2 HONG KONG NEWS Spring 2018 Hong Kong was taking an active and unique Spring 2018 role in the national policy of the Belt and Road Contents Initiative, which would present enormous collaboration opportunities between Europe and Hong Kong, notably in green financing COVER StorieS and infrastructural projects. Mr Yau and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development in Brussels 2 Mr Katainen also exchanged views on the Hong Kong has embarked on fourth industrial revolution, Chief Executive issues ahead in global trade and affirmed says at WEF Annual Meeting in Davos 4 the commitment of both sides towards the Prime Minister of the Netherlands in Hong Kong – Working Holiday Scheme rule-based multilateral trading system in the agreement signed 5 next stage of work after the 11th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference held in SECRETAry FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE IN FRANCE Buenos Aires. Secretary for the Civil Service visited France in connection with plan to establish college for Hong Kong civil servants 7 Mr Yau also had a meeting with the Director-General for Trade of the European BUDGET, FINANCE AND TAXATION Commission, Mr Jean-Luc Demarty, with Luxembourg Finance Minister welcomes stronger links between whom he exchanged views on matters Luxembourg and Hong Kong financial sectors 8 relating to the development opportunities 2018-19 Budget to diversify the economy, invest for the future and enhance for EU member states and companies in liveability of Hong Kong 9 Hong Kong. GDP grew by 4.7% in first quarter of 2018 11 Two-tired profits tax rates regime implemented since 1 April 2018 11 At a luncheon co-hosted by the Belgium-Hong Kong Society and the Hong Kong Economic INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels), Chief Executive outlined plans to boost innovation and technology 12 Mr Yau briefed the attending board members on the latest developments in Hong Kong in HONG KONG AND IRELAND areas such as creative industries and tourism Chief Executive met Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for as well as Hong Kong’s unique role in the Foreign Affairs 13 Belt and Road Initiative. Ireland-based international aircraft leasing company has set up regional office in Hong Kong 14 Visiting the Belgian Comic Strip Centre/ Irish Fintech company of the year, Global Shares, has launched Hong Kong Brussels Comics Art Museum, which has a office 15 good relationship with Hong Kong’s Comix Enterprise Ireland targeting 50% growth in Irish exports to Asia with Home Base, Mr Yau noted that various improved connectivity to Hong Kong 15 exhibitions of Belgian comics had been held in Hong Kong, and said he looked forward to BRUSSELS-HONG KONG AIR ROUTE OPENED more such collaborations in the near future. First direct air route opened between Brussels and Hong Kong 16 CHINESE NEW YEAR IN EUROPE HKETO, Brussels hosted Chinese New Year events in 15 European cities 17 EDUCATION AND CAREERS European talents encouraged to seize Hong Kong study and employment opportunities 20 CULTURE AND SPort “Legends of Lion Dance” exhibition showcased Hong Kong’s crafts and cultural heritage in Belgium 21 HKETO, Brussels supported “Lines in Motion: East Meets West” exhibition in Amsterdam 22 Hong Kong films brought toE uropean festival audiences in Dublin, Mr Yau (second left) and Special Representative for Hong Kong Amsterdam, Brussels, Udine, Florence and Prato 23 Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Creative achievements of Hong Kong publishing industry at Bologna Lam (first left), were briefed by Belgian Comic Strip Centre Children’s Book Fair 27 President, Mr Ferry Van Vosselen (second right), and Deputy France’s Patrice Delaveau is victorious at Longines Masters of Hong Kong 28 Director and Head of Education of the Brussels Comics Art Museum, Ms Tine Anthoni (first right). HONG KONG NEWS Spring 2018 3 Hong Kong has embarked on fourth industrial revolution, Chief Executive says at WEF Annual Meeting in Davos The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, chatting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Ms Christine Lagarde, and the President of WEF, Mr Borge Brende, at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. Hong Kong is embarking on the journey of its own fourth Mrs Lam also participated in another WEF session, on industrial revolution to diversify the economy and to “Global Economic Outlook”. Noting that Hong Kong, a boost further development in various areas through small and externally-oriented economy, is among the the application of innovation and technology, including freest and most competitive economies in the world, Fintech, Biotech, Edutech, smart city and Gerontech, the she said that the city has benefited from the world’s Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam has said. economic recovery and will strengthen its economic foundation to seize the many opportunities arising Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual from China’s and Asia’s economic development. China’s Meeting in Davos on 26 January 2018, she said with economic development has a big impact globally and the young people’s enthusiasm in innovation and she believed that China will continue to uphold free technology, the demand for quality service of the trade and economic globalisation, delivering the benefits growing middle class population and, most important of economic growth to all. of all, its interconnectivity, she is very optimistic about the development of Asia in the fourth industrial As the world is seeing some driving forces for growth, revolution. she said the opportunity should be taken to improve governance, focus on trade rules, strengthen regulatory Noting that Hong Kong has entered into a Free Trade collaboration and put in place sound social policies Agreement and an Investment Promotion and Protection to address poverty, income disparity and the lack of Agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian opportunities for young people. She said her government Nations (ASEAN) which firmly connect the city with the ten would embrace those values to put in place necessary ASEAN nations, she said she believed the Belt and Road social policies, making timely investment in education, Initiative will further link up Asia and all other countries enhancing connectivity with the rest of the world, in along the Belt and Road and enable them to complement particular, with ASEAN, to boost social development in each other to boost growth and exchanges. various areas. 4 HONG KONG NEWS Spring 2018 Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, welcomes Prime Minister Mark Rutte to Government House. The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 17th century when trade between the Netherlands and Mr Mark Rutte, visited Hong Kong on 9 April 2018, where southern China, including Hong Kong, boomed. Today, he received a warm welcome from Acting Chief Executive, the Netherlands, is Hong Kong’s third largest trading Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung. partner in the European Union, while Hong Kong is the Netherlands’ fifth largest trading partner in Asia. New Consulate The Netherlands has a notable presence in finance, After a meeting and a luncheon at Government House, trade, transportation, wholesaling and retailing as well Mr Cheung and Mr Rutte jointly officiated at the opening as other sectors including technology, innovation and ceremony of the new premises of the Consulate General design in Hong Kong. Currently, there are over 200 Dutch of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Central Plaza, firms in Hong Kong, including ABN AMRO, KLM Royal Wan Chai. Dutch Airlines, Philips, Shell, Heineken and many more. Mr Cheung noted that Mr Rutte was the first Dutch Mr Cheung said he had no doubt that bilateral relations Prime Minister ever to visit Hong Kong. The trade would continue to develop and thrive in the years relationship between the two places dated back to the ahead. Hong Kong stands ready to partner with Dutch --> HONG KONG NEWS Spring 2018 5 Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, shaking hands with the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms Annemieke Ruigrok, after the signing of the Working Holiday Scheme Agreement witnessed by Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung and Prime Minister, Mr Mark Rutte.