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HKETO Berlin celebrates Year of Snake

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) held a Chinese New Year reception in Berlin, Germany, on February 13 (Berlin time) to celebrate the Year of the Snake. About 160 guests including government officials, senior diplomats and leading figures of the political, business and cultural sectors of Germany attended the reception.

In her welcome remarks, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Jenny Szeto, briefed the guests on Hong Kong's encouraging achievements during the past year. "Despite the challenges of a global economic slowdown, Hong Kong's economy grew by 2.5 per cent in 2024, and we rose again to third place in the Global Financial Centres Index, setting the stage for a strong start to the year."

Ms Szeto also highlighted various initiatives that consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international centre in the eight key areas. She added that with the implementation of further liberalisation measures under the amended Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, Hong Kong's unique advantages as a gateway to Mainland China, would be further enhanced. Complemented by other facilitating initiatives such as multiple-entry visas for foreign staff of Hong Kong-registered companies, the investment, trade and people-to-people ties between Hong Kong and the Central and Eastern European countries will continue to be strengthened.

HKETO Berlin also hosted a reception in Bratislava, the Slovak Republic on February 12 (Bratislava time) in co-operation with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Six other receptions will be organised in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Switzerland.

To promote the excellent work of Hong Kong artists abroad, HKETO Berlin has invited Hong Kong artists including Hong Kong dance group R&T (Rhythm & Tempo) and the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base), to perform at the receptions and showcase the vibrancy, diversity and creativity of Hong Kong's East-meets-West culture.

Ms Jenny Szeto, Director of HKETO Berlin, delivers her welcome remarks at Chinese New Year reception held in Berlin, Germany, on February 13 (Berlin time).
Ms Jenny Szeto, Director of HKETO Berlin, delivers her welcome remarks at Chinese New Year reception held in Berlin, Germany, on February 13 (Berlin time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) welcomed friends and partners of Hong Kong to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a reception held in Berlin, Germany, on February 13 (Berlin time). Photo shows (from left): Envoy of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, Ms Ying-ru Zeng; the Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Jenny Szeto; the Chairman of the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, Mr Michael Schumann and his wife; and the Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Chris Lo, , at the toasting ceremony.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) welcomed friends and partners of Hong Kong to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a reception held in Berlin, Germany, on February 13 (Berlin time). Photo shows (from left): Envoy of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, Ms Ying-ru Zeng; the Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Jenny Szeto; the Chairman of the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, Mr Michael Schumann and his wife; and the Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Chris Lo, at the toasting ceremony.
In Chinese New Year reception held in Berlin, Germany on February 13 (Berlin time), a music and tap dance performance was presented by Hong Kong dance group R&T (Rhythm & Tempo).
In Chinese New Year reception held in Berlin, Germany on February 13 (Berlin time), a music and tap dance performance was presented by Hong Kong dance group R&T (Rhythm & Tempo).

About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Contact
Stephanie Pall
Head of Public Relations
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin
Tel: +49 (0) 30 22 66 77 24 2
Fax: +49 (0) 30 22 66 77 28 8
E-mail: stephanie_pall@hketoberlin.gov.hk

HKETO Berlin
14 February 2025

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