Americas

John Banigan, assistant deputy minister, Industry Sector of Industry Canada, led a delegation to visit the Chamber on September 19. Chamber CEO Dr Eden Woon received the delegates and briefed them on Hong Kong's new role with China and the Pearl River Delta. Chamber members and representatives from HKGCC's Industry Committee also attended the meeting.

Mike Newton, economist, Economics & Investment Strategy of HSBC, spoke at the Chamber's September 24 roundtable luncheon on "The Behaviour of the U.S. Dollar and its Downward Slide Effect on the World Economy."

Speech    Slides 

Yasuhito Suzuki, consul, Consulate General of Japan in Hong Kong, shared his insights on the latest economic developments in Japan at joint HKGCC-Hong Kong Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry luncheon on September 17.

Speech  

A 25-member delegation from Casablanca, Morocco, visited the Chamber on October 11, where they were received by Eva Chow, director, International Business. The delegation was interested in sourcing electronic & lighting products from Hong Kong and exploring joint-venture or business partnership opportunities with local firms.

Zhao Weiguo, director, Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District, called on the Chamber on September 19. Mr Zhao spoke about new developments and policies in his district and expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation with the Chamber to attract more foreign investment.

Cao Jiaxing, vice-director, Jilin Province Planning Commission, led a delegation to the Chamber on September 20, which was in Hong Kong to promote "Jilin-Hong Kong Promotion Week." The Chamber is a co-organizer of the event, which will be held from December 2-8.

Guo Geping, president, China Chain Store and Franchise Association, visited the Chamber on September 23, where she was met by Chamber CEO Dr Eden Woon and members. Founded in 1997, the CCSFA falls under the umbrella of the Internal Trade Bureau to safeguard the interest of franchise practitioners in China and to promote the development of retailing and franchising activities. Ms Guo said the association currently has over 1,000 members, 10 per cent of whom are foreign-owned enterprises. She also invited members to attend the 3rd China International Franchise Exhibition, which will be held on November 26-28, in Beijing.

Siv Jensen, chairman, Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, Norwegian Parliament, on September 26 led the first Norwegian parliamentary delegation to Hong Kong since the handover. Chamber CEO Dr Eden Woon received the delegation, which was also accompanied by Janis Bjorn Kanavin, consul general of Norway in Hong Kong.

C D Tam, CEO, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation, shared his insights at the Chamber's September 19 roundtable luncheon on the role that the science park and technology will have on Hong Kong's future development. Following the talk, the Industry and Technology Committee held a meeting, in which Patrick Pun and Oscar Chow were elected chairman and vice chairman respectively of the committee.

Speech   

Robert Law, director, Environmental Protection De-partment, HKSAR, spoke at the Chamber's September 16 roundtable luncheon on what the government is doing to tackle air pollution in Hong Kong and the whole of the Pearl River Delta.

Speech   

Hong Kong Monetary Authority representative Edmond Lau attended the SME Committee's meeting on September 20 to introduce the Consumer Credit Reference Agency. Also in attendance was Chamber Chairman Christopher Cheng.

Following consultation with the Information Services Committee, the Chamber submitted its response to the Copyright Amendment Bill 2001 on September 18.

On September 19 the Chamber submitted comments on the Telecommunications Numbering Plan to the Office of Telecommunications Authority, after consultation with the Information Services Committee.