Chief Executive Carrie Lam (fourth left) and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak (fourth right) officiate at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok. (Photo: news.gov.hk)The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has opened an economic and trade office in Thailand on the occasion of the visit by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.
The Ministry of Commerce has organized a partnership event for Thailand and Hong Kong to show Thailand's acknowledgment of Hong Kong as a strategic link for trade and investment in the region and with China.
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak reiterated the importance of Hong Kong as a major economic powerhouse, following China's designation of Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Guangdong as special development zones with production bases for manufacturing, technology, innovation, finance and services. The close proximity of the provinces to ASEAN and CLMVT countries will enhance the economic potential between each bloc, leading to enormous economic value. Furthermore, the establishment of a Hong Kong economic and trade office in Bangkok serves as the first step towards closer relations.
In addition, Thailand and Hong Kong have signed four agreements on the development of startups, the establishment of smart cities, as well as information exchange on investment opportunity.
Hong Kong is Thailand's 9th largest trading partner and 5th largest investor in Thailand while exports to Hong Kong in 2018 were worth over 12 billion USD./.