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Tuesday, 20 September 2011, 17:41 HKT/SGT | |
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Some 1,500 Join Reception to Mark Council's 45th Anniversary |
HONG KONG, Sept 20, 2011 - (ACN Newswire) - The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will help drive Hong Kong's economy into a prosperous new era, HKTDC Chairman Jack So told a cocktail reception today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The reception, which marked the HKTDC's 45th anniversary, attracted some 1,500 business and government leaders. It was officiated by Hong Kong SAR Government Chief Executive Donald Tsang.
Mr So said that the HKTDC has been instrumental in the transformation of Hong Kong's economy over the past decades: "From a manufacturing centre back in the '70s, to a re-export centre in the '80s and '90s, when Hong Kong began to move its factories to the Pearl River Delta, to the business services centre we are today," he told the packed audience.
"The Council's focus on the services sector has produced signature events such as the annual Asian Financial Forum, FILMART, Asia's biggest entertainment industry show, the region's leading licensing show and Inno Design Tech Expo.
"In recent years, we have also helped Hong Kong's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tap the mainland market by building brands and moving up the value chain, creating numerous success stories," he said.
Mr So said that the HKTDC has come a long way since 1966, when it opened its doors for business in a small office at Ocean Terminal. Back then, Hong Kong's total trade was HK$17.7 billion; last year, it reached HK$6.5 trillion. The HKTDC also pioneered the development of Hong Kong's exhibition industry, from organising product displays in hotel lobbies to the many mega-trade shows it puts on at the HKTDC-built Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Nine of the 35 exhibitions organised by the Council last year were the largest of their kind in Asia, attracting more than 650,000 trade buyers from around the world.
"Our mandate has always been to help SMEs expand their businesses. SMEs are the pillars of Hong Kong's economy, creating vast job opportunities and prosperity for Hong Kong.
"Over the past 45 years, many SMEs have grown in size and sophistication, with some of our clients becoming our advisory committee and council members. Their success is Hong Kong's success and the HKTDC's success," Mr So added.
The HKTDC Chairman also expressed gratitude to stakeholders, including the Government and partner organisations, for their support.
"The HKTDC is now poised to take Hong Kong to the next stage of development, capitalising on the opportunities under the mainland's 12th Five-year Plan and Hong Kong's new economic role.
"It is a challenge we look forward to. With the continuing support of the Hong Kong community, I am confident that we can take the economy to new heights," Mr So concluded.
The HKTDC has helped create numerous Hong Kong SME success stories over the past years. For more details, please visit: www.hktdc.com/tdc4u
Contact:
HKTDC
Corporate Communication Department:
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
Topic: Press release summary
Source: HKTDC
Sectors: Trade Shows
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