Watch This | Paul Chan continues to visit Spain to enhance cooperation on technology projects
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued visiting Madrid, Spain, yesterday (September 23, Madrid time).
Mr Chan visited the Plenary of the City Council of Madrid yesterday and met with its President, Mr Francisco de Borja Fanjul Fernández-Pita. They exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between the two places. Mr Chan presented the latest developments in Hong Kong across various sectors. He noted that, with staunch support from the Central Government, the "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement will continue to be implemented in Hong Kong in the long run. He emphasized that Hong Kong will maintain an international, open, and friendly business environment practicing the common law. Mr Chan expressed hope for enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as finance, innovation and technology (I&T), culture, and education. He also welcomed Spanish enterprises to invest in Hong Kong and leverage it to explore the vast markets of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, broader Mainland China, and Asia.
In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on the Chinese Ambassador to Spain, Mr Yao Jing. Mr Chan briefed Ambassador Yao on the latest situation in Hong Kong and its development direction and strategies. They had in-depth exchanges on topics including economic and trade cooperation between China and Spain and promoting collaboration in business and I&T between Hong Kong and Spain.
Mr Chan then met with Mr José Moisés Martín Carretero, the Director General of the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación (CDTI). The CDTI provides funding support for projects aligned with Spain's I&T development strategy, and promotes technological co-operation between Spain and other countries and regions. Mr Chan highlighted the progress Hong Kong has made in recent years by investing substantially in I&T. He presented the support provided by Hong Kong's full-spectrum financial services to I&T enterprises and projects at various development stages. They also exchanged ideas on strengthening cooperation on technology projects and matching funds with projects.
In the morning, Mr Chan led the delegation of technology startups to visit Wayra, one of Spain's innovation accelerators and venture capital funds, where he met with its investment team leaders. Through its global network, Wayra helps startups connect with technology and capital worldwide and guides them to expand their markets. During the meeting, Wayra's technology and investment teams introduced the organization's operations and development strategies, and both sides discussed ways to promote mutual cooperation. Mr Chan hoped the visit would facilitate better connections between the I&T ecosystems of both places and create more practical collaboration opportunities for their startups.
The Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Peter Lam; the Executive Director of the HKTDC, Ms Margaret Fong; the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Techlogy Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong; the Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, Mr Eric Chan, and the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Shirley Yung, participated in all or parts of the visit above.
Mr. Chan will continue visiting Madrid today (September 24, Madrid time), including attending a themed business luncheon organized by the HKTDC to promote Hong Kong's advantages to local political, business, financial, and innovation communities.
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