Speeches

Chinese New Year Reception in Medan Indonesia

Following is the speech by the Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Mr Law Kin-wai at the Chinese New Year Reception in Medan, Indonesia today (February 26):

Consul General Sun Ang (Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Medan, Indonesia, Mr Sun Ang), Peter (Regional Director of South East Asia and South Asia of Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Peter Wong), Pak Purba (Chairman of the Employers’ Association of Indonesia North Sumatera, Indonesia, Mr Parlindungan Purba ), Pak Ivan (Chairman of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry North Sumatera, Indonesia, Mr Ivan Batubara), Pak Rusmin (Chairman Indonesia-Hong Kong Business Association North Sumatera, Indonesia, Mr Rusmin Lawin), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening! Thanks a lot to join us on this occasion to celebrate Chinese New Year. Let me wish you all a very happy and prosperous year ahead!

Our office, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, strives to enhance the bilateral relations between Hong Kong and ASEAN, including Indonesia. I took up the post of Director-General two months ago, and I am very happy to be able to make my first trip to Medan this soon.

Recent major developments
No doubt you will share my feeling that Indonesia and Hong Kong are getting closer than ever. President Jokowi and our Chief Executive, Mrs. Carrie Lam, met with each other twice in Jakarta and Hong Kong in May 2017 and in April 2018 respectively to strengthen our bilateral relations. More than 580 athletes from Hong Kong came to Indonesia to participate in the Asian Games last August and they brought home 46 medals. Our Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, participated in the IMF/World Bank Group annual meetings in Bali last October. Just a month ago, our Secretary for Labour and Welfare met with Indonesian Minister of Manpower in Jakarta to discuss cooperation on the well-being of Indonesian domestic helpers in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, we continue to enhance our city as an international commerce and trading centre. There is huge potential for Indonesia and Hong Kong to build closer relations, particularly on trade, investment and professional services. The connectivity between Hong Kong and Medan is now much enhanced, with direct flight between the two places since late last year.

The Belt and Road Initiative provides much impetus for further economic development. Hong Kong is now the 4th largest source of foreign investments into Indonesia. The footprints of Hong Kong companies can be seen in many sectors, including banking, insurance, property developments, advertising, ports and logistics, as well as professional training. Further down the road, I am confident that, Indonesia and China, including Hong Kong, would develop ever stronger ties in investment, economy, trade, culture, education and tourism.

Meanwhile, the Greater Bay Area Development also presents huge potential for businesses, both local and overseas. As you may have been aware, the Outline Development Plan promulgated by the Central Government identified Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen as core cities, as well as core engines for driving regional development. The Outline Development Plan clearly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status in various aspects We encourage our friends in Indonesia to explore the potentials in the Area by making use of Hong Kong.

Another exciting news is that the Free Trade Agreement and the related Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN are now in the final stage of ratification by individual ASEAN Member States. We believe the Agreements will enter into force in the very near future. On this, we are delighted that the Indonesian Parliament has recently approved the Government’s plan to ratify the FTA through a Presidential Regulation soon.

The Agreements are comprehensive in scope, encompassing trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical co-operation and dispute settlement mechanisms. They will bring more legal certainty, better market access and fairer and more equitable treatment in trade and investment. There would be new business opportunities and greater trade and investment flows between Hong Kong and ASEAN, including of course Indonesia. We do encourage Indonesian businessmen to make the most out of the benefits of the Agreements.

Conclusion
Once again, I thank you all for your support and look forward to working together to further strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and Indonesia, as well as ASEAN.

Please enjoy the evening. Thank you!

Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2019