Exclusive | Hong Kong can tap into Latin America by opening trade office in Dominican Republic: envoy

Consul general hopes for stronger air links to unlock opportunities for tourism and reduce shipping costs

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Eduardo Pelagio Alvarez Hernandez, the consul general of the Dominican Republic, says Hong Kong can use his country as a base to access Latin America. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 9:00am, 10 Nov 2024Updated: 9:53am, 10 Nov 2024

This is the tenth in a series of interviews with consuls general of emerging and belt and road economies with which Hong Kong is keen to build ties. The previous ones are here.

The Dominican Republic’s top diplomat in Hong Kong has invited city authorities to open a trade office and use his Caribbean nation as a strategic base for accessing Latin America.

Consul General Eduardo Pelagio Alvarez Hernandez also expressed hope for stronger air links, saying shorter routes and lower travelling costs would unlock opportunities for tourism and trade.

Currently, Hong Kong’s 14 overseas Economic and Trade Offices are distributed across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North America, with none in Latin America.

Alvarez suggested opening a trade office in his country amid expectations that the three in the United States would be closed by President-elect Donald Trump should a bipartisan bill clear the Senate.

In an interview with the Post, the envoy said the Dominican Republic was strategically located to give Hong Kong access to major markets in North, Central and South America.

SCMP Series

Meeting the ‘belt and road’ diplomats in Hong Kong

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