John Lee hails Hong Kong-Vietnam ‘synergy’ after 30 deals signed covering business, aviation
- Economic deals revealed in Hanoi bring tally of agreements signed during city leader’s three-nation trip to 55
Hong Kong’s leader has hailed the city’s “great synergy” with Vietnam as he announced the signing of 30 agreements covering business and aviation with its seventh-largest trading partner, bringing the tally of deals during his three-nation trip to 55.
Eight of the economic agreements, involving government agencies and the Hong Kong Airport Authority, were first unveiled on Thursday morning during a round-table discussion attended by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang in Hanoi.
One of the deals was signed between Vietnam Airlines and the city’s airport operator to explore expansion of air services between the two jurisdictions, while the Trade Development Council also signed two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with its Vietnamese counterparts to collaborate on promoting trade.
Lee said at the event that Hong Kong businesspeople had long held a strong interest in opportunities in Vietnam, and encouraged companies in the country to explore business cooperation with the city.
“Hong Kong is an ideal place for listing and other fundraising activities and with quality provision of different financial, legal and professional services, we can be Vietnam’s premier business partner to tap foreign markets,” he said.
“There are abundant opportunities for organisations and companies of both places to explore collaboration. The synergy between Hong Kong and Vietnam should be great.”
The deputy prime minister extended a welcome to Lee and his 30-strong delegation who arrived in the Vietnamese capital the night before, and invited the Hong Kong business heavyweights to share advice on how Vietnam “can do better on our part”.
