Press Release
For immediate release
(Hong Kong 19th May 2011) The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce today announced that they will offer a “HKGCC 150th Anniversary Free Ride Day” to mark this historic milestone of the Chamber.
The Rides will be available throughout the day on two of Hong Kong’s oldest and most iconic transport systems:the Tramways and the Star Ferry.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Alex Fong, said that this is the first time such an event with two key public transport systems in Hong Kong has ever been staged. Both transport systems have been around for over 100 years and like the HKGCC, have contributed to the development of the Hong Kong economy from trading and manufacturing, finance investment and infrastructure to new energy and green initiatives.
Mr. Alex Fong also announced a further initiative that is planned to mark the anniversary. A set of HKGCC 150th Anniversary Commemorative Stamps will be issued to recognise the occasion. The Stamps will go on sale with First Day Covers on the 26th May 2011.
“The issuing of the Stamps was a significant and memorable way to recognise the contribution of the Chamber to Hong Kong’s financial and economic well being since it was established in 1861.”
The Free Ride Day
The Free Ride Day will be held on the 9th June, which is also the date of this years’ HKGCC AGM.
Tramways:
The free rides on the Trams will be available on only the 15 designated trams for the full route operated between Western District and Shau Kei Wan throughout operation hours of the day. The trams will be clearly identified with the HKGCC 150 Anniversary logo and sponsor’s identity featured on the tram cars. (Hong Kong Tramways enquiry hotline: 2548 7102). Moreover, 500 commemorative stamp albums areprepared to be distributed randomly to 500 free riders. Final distribution schedule and mechanism will be announced prior to the Free Ride Day.
Star Ferry:
The free rides on the Star Ferry will be on the Central/TST/Central route throughout the operation hours on the Free Ride Day(Star Ferry enquiry hotline: 2367 7065). 500 commemorative are also prepared for distribution to free riders.
Commemorative Stamp Issue
The commemorative Stamps and First Day Covers will go on sale at all post officesin Hong Kong on 26th May 2011. The issue contains four stamps in denominations of $1.40, $2.40, $3 and $5. The visuals on the Stamps depictthe significant events in the history of the Chamber over the past 150 years:
Establishment of the Chamber in 1861 with its first General Meeting held at the Hong Kong Club
Issuanceof Certificates of Origin since1923
Sponsorship for the Good Citizen Awardsince 1973
The First delegation of the Chamber to visit Mainland Chinain 1978 to tap into the Mainland China market
Mr. Fong said that the Chamber, “is excited about all these joint initiatives and is grateful to the Tramway Company, Star Ferry Company and Hongkong Post for their support in mounting these commemorativeactivities.“
“Depending on how well the Free Ride initiative is received, the Chamber may also consider making this an annual event.”
In addition to these two activities the Chamber will also be holding a gala dinner at the Hong Kong Conventionand Exhibition Centre on the evening of the 27th May 2011. This event has already been heavily subscribed and a full house is expected with HKGCC members, centurions and guests travelling from afar all confirming their attendance. The Honourable Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr. Donald Tsang will address the gathering.
“Throughout its history the Chamber and its members have made a tremendous contribution to business, good governance and social development of Hong Kong. What is important about all the milestones in our history is not what went on before them, but what occurs afterwards.
For the Chamber and its members they can look back with pride at the important contributions they have made to the progress and development of Hong Kong over a century and a half. Recent signatory schemes of the Chamber include the Good Citizens Award scheme, Clean Air Charter and Graduate Trainee & Placement Campaigns. Our 150th Anniversary Dinner is a historic milestone, but also the start of a new chapter in our rich and proud heritage”, Mr. Fong said.
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About the HKGCC:
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1861. It is the oldest and largest business organization in Hong Kong, with around 4,000 members. Our mission is to promote, safeguard and represent the interests of the local business community. HKGCC is a self-funded, non-profit making organization, and is a leading voice in promoting Hong Kong as an international business center in the heart of Asia. It acts as an international bridge, connecting Hong Kong business with the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world.
About Tramways:
Hong Kong Tramways Limited has been operating tram service in Hong Kong since 1904. Hong Kong Tramways is committed to providing passengers with a high level of service, with continuous enhancements in service quality and tram facilities. It has always been our goal to ensure your journey, whether long or short, to be an economical, convenient and safe one.
When Hong Kong Tramways was founded, the 26 tramcars of the first fleet were all single-deck. After more than 100 years, we now own and operate a fleet of 163 tramcars which includes 2 antique tramcars. It is the world's largest fleet of double-deck tramcars still in operation, carrying an average of 230,000 passengers every day.
About Star Ferry:
The Star Ferry's ferry crossings at Victoria Harbour are acclaimed as an important part of the commuter system between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and essential journeys for visitors. The National Geographic Traveler named the ferry crossing as one of 50 places of a lifetime. The ferry ride is also well known as one of the world’s best value-for-money sightseeing trips.
The Star Ferry traces its origins to 1880 when Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala, a Parsee cook, embarked on a new vocation. He began a ferry service across Victoria Harbour with his steamboat, the Morning Star. In May 1898 the Star Ferry Company, as it is known today, became a public company. Its name derives from the ferries, which all bore the name “Star”. The Company celebrated its centenary in 1998. Its fleet of 9 ferries is now serving two franchised ferry routes between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Wanchai, and is the only licensed harbour tour ferry service.
About Hongkong Post:
Established in 1841, Hongkong Post enjoys a proud heritage and a long history of serving the community. It pledges to provide accessible, reliable and value-for-money postal services to meet the needs of Hong Kong and its international postal obligations. Since operating as a Trading Fund in 1995, Hongkong Post has managed to reinvent itself as a dynamic, customer-focused and market-oriented service organisation. Leveraging on itsextensive retail and distribution networks and a strong brand, ithasgrown beyond the traditional postal servicesto offera sophisticated range of service solutions in the logistics supply chain, whileat the same time diversifying into new markets. As always, Hongkong Post is committed to fulfilling its mission of "Linking People,Delivering Business".
Issued by Racepoint Group on behalf of the HKGCC, for further information please contact:
Racepoint Group
CC Lau Joanna Gwynne-Jones
Tel: 31119971 / 95022170 Tel: 31119934 / 95005063
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
HKGCC
Anita Lim
Tel: 28231234
Email: [email protected]