Chinese New Year Celebrations

This year is the Year of the Dragon, which signifies strength and resilience. HKETO Berlin celebrated the beginning of the Year of the Dragon together with friends and partners of the eight countries under our office’s purview. Eight receptions were held in Warsaw (6 February), Berlin (13 February), Ljubljana (16 February), Bratislava (20 February), Prague (21 February), Zurich (27 February), Budapest (28 February) and Vienna (6 March), bringing together more than 1 200 guests from government, political, business and cultural sectors.

We were delighted to share with our guests the achievements Hong Kong had made in the past year in attracting international talents and enterprises, as well as the city’s growing appeal to become an international arts and culture exchange hub.  Hong Kong music talents were invited to perform classical and modern pieces at the receptions, showcasing Hong Kong’s diverse music scene.

Chinese New Year reception held in Berlin, Germany on 13 February 2024.

Hong Kong Reception at 49^th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

A Hong Kong delegation of around 700 participants from over 40 institutions, including universities, research and development (R&D) centres, laboratories, technology companies, government departments, and primary and secondary schools, exhibited more than 360 projects at the 49^th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva held from 17 to 21 April 2024. Among over 1 000 inventions this year, the Hong Kong delegation won 28 Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury and 114 Gold Medals, totalling a record high of over 350 prizes.

HKETO Berlin hosted a reception on 19 April 2024 to support the delegation. The Director of HKETO Berlin, Jenny Szeto, introduced the latest innovation and technology (I&T) developments in Hong Kong, as well as policies and initiatives to foster an innovation-friendly environment in Hong Kong, in particular in supporting R&D activities and commercialisation of their outcomes. The achievements made by the delegation are very encouraging and exemplify Hong Kong’s profound strength on the road to become an international I&T centre.

HKETO Berlin hosted a reception on the occasion of Hong Kong’s participation in the 49^th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva on 19 April.

Professor Andrew Young, the representative of the Hong Kong delegation (left); David Taji Farouki, the President of the International Jury of the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions (centre); and Jenny Szeto, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (right) at the 49^th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

European Economic Congress in Katowice

The Director of HKETO Berlin, Jenny Szeto, joined representatives from the Polish government, business sector and think tank at a panel discussion session of the 16th European Economic Congress held in Katowice, Poland on 8 May. In discussing the latest political trends and economic developments under the dynamic geopolitical environment, Ms Szeto outlined to the audience the latest initiatives of the Hong Kong Government in attracting global talent and enterprises to the city, and accentuated Hong Kong’s unique advantages and positioning as a gateway between the Mainland and the world, which provided opportunities for European business community to expand their presence on the Mainland and Asian markets. As a leading international financial centre as well as a trade, maritime and logistics hub, Hong Kong continues to be an ideal entry point for businesses to tap into the vast opportunities in the region, particularly the fast-growing Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Jenny Szeto speaks at a panel discussion session during the 16^th European Economic Congress on 8 May 2024.

Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Business Mission Explored Opportunities in Budapest

A joint business mission co-led by the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Government and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China visited Hungary from 16 to 18 May 2024. Focusing on green development and innovation and technology, the mission aimed to encourage Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises and professional services to explore the massive Belt and Road markets and seek collaboration opportunities. HKETO Berlin hosted a dinner and gave a briefing for the delegation on 16 May, and joined the mission’s meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and visit to the Budapest Airport and Cargo City on being a cargo hub for the Mainland and Hong Kong in the Central and Eastern Europe region.

Delegates of the Mainland-Hong Kong joint business mission and representatives of the local business community after an exchange session in Budapest on 17 May 2024.