Hong Kong Promotions Draw 3,300+ in US & Canada

Hong Kong, June 12, 2015 (Newswire.com) - More than 3,300 North American business people attended the large-scale “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong” promotions in Toronto and Chicago on 8th and 10th June respectively, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

This week’s promotions featured more than 150 business leaders from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. They highlighted Hong Kong advantages for Canadian and US companies doing business in Asia.

In 2014, about US$49 billion in trade with the Mainland of China from the US side was routed through Hong Kong. That's about nine per cent of your total trade in goods with the mainland. And super-connector Hong Kong made it happen

C.Y. Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government

Hong Kong a “Partnership Engine”

Guests-of-honor in Chicago were Stefan Selig, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce and C.Y. Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

Selig described Hong Kong as a “partnership engine” for promoting bilateral ties: “That, of course, includes deepening our commercial partnership with China. Obviously, Hong Kong’s role as a trade and investment partner to the US and as a gateway to China reinforces its ability to deepen that very partnership.”

Leung noted that exports from Illinois to Hong Kong totaled some US$1 billion in 2014 – up a remarkable 30 percent over the previous year, saying: “In 2014, about US$49 billion in trade with the Mainland of China from the US side was routed through Hong Kong. That's about nine per cent of your total trade in goods with the mainland. And super-connector Hong Kong made it happen.”

HKTDC Chairman Vincent H.S. Lo said Hong Kong and Chicago play similar roles as dynamic and well-connected international cities. “As one global city to another, it is therefore natural that our ties should be strengthened,” he said. “And nothing works better than meeting face-to-face when we can exchange information, explore opportunities and connect with each other.”

Lo also mentioned that the “One Belt, One Road”, which refers to China’s strategic concept of facilitating trade, financial, infrastructural and cultural development across 65 nations from Asia to Europe, will offer infinite business possibilities. 

Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel was the guest of honor at the Hong Kong Dinner held at the Field Museum of Natural History, following the main business promotion in Chicago.

Media Inquiries

Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Parker Robinson Tel: (852) 2584 4341 Email: [email protected]