Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu said in a post on social media platforms today (August 17) that last week he hosted a luncheon for Thomas Gnocchi, Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, as well as 13 Consuls-General and representatives of the European Union (EU) countries. At the meeting, he shared with the group the views of the HKSAR Government on some major economic and political issues.
Lee said that the EU has been a very important trading partner for HK, with the 27 EU member states being HK's third largest trading partner in terms of merchandise trade. In 2022, bilateral merchandise trade between HK and the EU amounted to HK$524 billion, and there are 1,600 EU companies located in HK.
Lee added that HK is a bridge between the East and the West and offers endless opportunities for all countries. The city has a favourable business environment, a low tax regime, a free flow of capital, an abundance of multicultural talent and internationalised professional services. These advantages have helped EU and foreign enterprises to thrive in HK, gain access to the vast markets in the mainland China and Asia, and set up business in the Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area. He stressed that HK attached importance to its trade and investment relations with the EU and would strengthen ties with the EU to HK and Macao and Consuls-General on various fronts.
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