News

Business Seminar and Lunar New Year Reception were held in Moscow and Saint Petersburg

On February 13 and 14, 2014 in Moscow and St Petersburg, respectively, the traditional reception on the occasion of a Lunar New Year was co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) and the Russia – Hong Kong Business Association.

Key speakers were Director-General of the London ETO, Ms Erica Ng, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Linda Lai, Chairman of the Russia – Hong Kong Business Association Mr Ivan Polyakov. The speakers explained to the entrepreneurs how they could benefit from business opportunities in Hong Kong, and how they could take advantage of Hong Kong's position as a gateway to Mainland China and Asia. They highlighted the fast-growing ties between Hong Kong and Russia. In 2013, the total value of bilateral trade in goods between the two places grew by 10.5% year-on-year to US$3.59 billion. There were over 223 000 Russian visitor arrivals to Hong Kong last year, a significant increase of 20% over 2012. The speakers mentioned the positive dynamics in developing of relationships in the sphere of culture and education, and the fact of Hong Kong athletes participating in hosted by Russia the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

HKTDC Representative in Russia and CIS Mr Leonid Orlov told about the projects realized in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine in 2013, mentioned the foundation of Baltic – Hong Kong Business Association with support of Russia – Hong Kong Business Association, highlighted the interest of entrepreneurs to take part in fairs and exhibitions organised by HKTDC – the largest exhibition organizer in Asia. HKTDC exhibitions were mentioned as drivers of interest to Hong Kong on the part of over 7,000 buyers from Russia and Kazakhstan, who visited Hong Kong in 2013.