Hong Kong Officials in Europe

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development leads delegation to Hungary

“With a global outlook and international connectivity, Hong Kong enterprises and professionals play an indispensable role in making Hong Kong the prime platform for Hungarian enterprises to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative,” Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said at the Chinese New Year Reception in Budapest, Hungary, on March 21. The reception, hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, gathered over 200 Hungarian business leaders and chamber representatives to establish connections with a Hong Kong business and professional delegation led by Mr Yau and a parallel Guangdong delegation. The Hong Kong delegation comprised more than 30 delegates from various service sectors, ranging from finance, accounting, insurance, technology, infrastructure, legal and dispute resolution, to logistics, as well as representatives from the public sector and start-ups.

Before the reception, Mr Yau met with the Deputy Governor of Magyar Nemzeti Bank, Dr Ferenc Gerhardt; the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Mr Levente Magyar; and the State Secretary for Financial Affairs of the Ministry of Finance of Hungary, Mr Gábor Gion, to learn about Hungary's monetary and fiscal policy and economic development plans as well as the overall investment and business environment in the region. He also took the opportunity to meet with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Hungary, Mr Duan Jielong, at a lunch meeting.

The delegation visited Rail Cargo Hungaria Zrt to understand the logistics infrastructure development in Hungary; and the plant of Johnson Electric Hungary Kft in Budapest to understand the investment and operating conditions of Hong Kong-based companies in Hungary.


Secretary for Justice gives update on Hong Kong's legal developments in Vienna

Ms Teresa Cheng, Secretary for Justice of the HKSARG, visited Austria’s capital Vienna where she met with the Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), Ms Anna Joubin-Bret, on April 17 to discuss issues of international trade law and seek to enhance co-operation with Hong Kong. The UNCITRAL, established by the United Nations General Assembly, plays an important role in developing a legal framework for the facilitation of international trade and investment. Ms Cheng also called on the Chinese Ambassador to Austria, Mr Li Xiaosi and the Permanent Representative and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna, Mr Wang Qun.

On April 18, Ms Cheng met with the Secretary General of the Federal Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, Reforms, Deregulation and Justice of Austria, Mr Christian Pilnacek, to give an update on Hong Kong's legal developments. Both sides also explored collaboration opportunities.

Afterwards, Ms Cheng visited the Vienna International Arbitral Centre to meet the President, Dr Gunther Horvath, and the Vice President, Dr Nikolaus Pitkowitz, to brief them on the latest developments in Hong Kong’s arbitration sector. Ms Cheng pointed out the advantages brought about by the signing of the Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings by the Courts of the Mainland and of the HKSAR. Ms Cheng then participated in the 26th Vis Moot Final as the chief judge for the final round. Vis Moot is an international moot court competition to foster the study of international commercial law and arbitration for resolution of international business disputes.