Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HK Special Administrative Region Government, delivers a speech at the luncheon titled "Opportunities for Hong Kong and Vietnam under ASEAN Regional Cooperation" in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, Aug. 16, 2016. Nearly 300 participants, including CGCC committee members, government officials and business leaders from ASEAN, Chinese mainland and HK attended the luncheon.(Xinhua/Le Yanna)
HO CHI MINH CITY, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong and Vietnam should enhance their collaboration so as to grasp the opportunities proposed by ASEAN regional cooperation, stated Carrie Lam, Chief secretary for Administration of the HK Special Administration Region Government here on Tuesday.
Lam made the statement at an luncheon titled "Opportunities for Hong Kong and Vietnam under ASEAN Regional Cooperation", co-organized by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong (CGCC) and the HK Economic and Trade Office in Singapore.
Sharing the competitiveness and enduring strengths of HK with audience, Lam believed upon the conclusion of the ASEAN-HK Free Trade Agreement which is under negotiation, HK will enhance its "super-connnector" role between the Chinese mainland and the ASEAN economic community.
The FTA will strengthen the economic and trade ties between HK and ASEAN member states including Vietnam, by facilitating the flow of goods, services and investments, said Lam.
Dr. Jonathan Choi, Permanent Honorary President of CGCC pointed out in his welcome speech that Vietnam has long been an important trade and investment partner for HK.
As the East Asian economies are entering a new stage of regional cooperation and integration, there is a great deal of potential for HK and Vietnam to work closer together to make strategic contributions in regional collaboration, claimed Choi.
Speaking to Xinhua, Choi stressed that HK and Vietnam can join hands to act as a bridging platform and facilitator for companies from Vietnam, HK and the Chinese mainland in seeking prospective investments in the region, as well as grasping huge potential opportunities under the Belt and Road initiative.
Nearly 300 participants, including CGCC committee members, government officials and business leaders from ASEAN, Chinese mainland and HK attended the luncheon.
