20-7-2023 (HONG KONG) The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr John Lee, is set to lead a delegation to visit three member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The purpose of the visit is to bolster cooperation between Hong Kong and ASEAN countries in trade, economy, and investment, and explore potential business opportunities. Additionally, the delegation aims to showcase Hong Kong’s latest strengths and opportunities to local political and business communities.
Highlighting the close relationship between Hong Kong and ASEAN, Mr Lee emphasized that ASEAN is the second-largest trading partner of Hong Kong and the fifth-largest economy globally, with significant potential for economic development. This visit marks his second trip to ASEAN countries since assuming office, underscoring the high importance Hong Kong places on the growth potential of the ASEAN market.
The HKSAR delegation comprises several key officials, including the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip; the Director of Information Services, Mr Fletch Chan; and the Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang.
Accompanying the delegation are around 30 high-level representatives from various sectors, such as industry and commerce, financial services, transport, logistics, e-commerce, and innovation and technology.
Mr Lee’s itinerary includes visits to Singapore from July 23 to 25, Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 25, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 27. During his trip, he will engage with local political and business leaders to showcase Hong Kong’s unique advantages, including the strong support from the mainland and its seamless global connectivity under the “one country, two systems” principle. He will encourage ASEAN enterprises to expand their operations in Hong Kong, utilizing its professional services and financing platform, and explore opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area market. Furthermore, he will visit local enterprises and major infrastructure projects to explore potential collaborations between Hong Kong and ASEAN countries in trade, economy, and infrastructure.
