| Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu begins operation |
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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Chengdu ETO) started operation this morning (September 28). It will strive to promote closer links and co-operation between Hong Kong and the south-western region of the Mainland.
Speaking on the plans for the office, Director of Chengdu ETO, Mr Richard Luk, said: "As the Chengdu ETO has just begun its work, we shall first focus on establishing closer ties with government officials, trade and economic organisations and Hong Kong businessmen in the area under our coverage, including the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Shaanxi and the Municipality of Chongqing. "Further developing and strengthening economic and trade relations, taking forward and facilitating implementation of co-operation projects, offering help to Hong Kong enterprises and residents, encouraging Mainland enterprises to invest in Hong Kong, facilitating Hong Kong's service sector to assess the local market and promoting the image of Hong Kong are all our goals," he said. "My team in Chengdu will work towards achieving these goals." Mr Luk visited the Deputy Director of the Sichuan Development and Reform Commission, Mr Li Yaping, this morning. He also attended the National Day Reception of the Sichuan Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference this afternoon. Tomorrow, he will meet officials from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce and attend the National Day celebrations hosted by the Sichuan Provincial People's Government. The ETO in Chengdu has been set up to further promote the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's exchanges and co-operation with the south-western region of the country, and to provide more support and services to Hong Kong enterprises and residents on the Mainland. The temporary office of the Chengdu ETO is located at Room 606, Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel (postal code: 610015). It can be contacted by phone (enquiries: 86-28-8676 8301), fax (86-28-8676-8300) and email (cdeto@cab.gov.hk). Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2006 |