Picture shows (from left) TDC Executive Director Michael Sze, Financial Secretary Henry Tang and Chairman and CEO of the JETRO Osamu Watanabe at the opening of the 17th Asian Trade Promotion Forum.

Picture shows (from left) TDC's Executive Director Designate Frederick Lam; Chairman and CEO of the JETRO Osamu Watanabe; Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang; and TDC's Executive Director Michael Sze at a welcoming cocktail reception at the Government House.

High level directors of trade promotion organisations from 18 countries and regions are visiting Hong Kong today and tomorrow (February 23 and 24), to attend the 17th Asian Trade Promotion Forum, which Hong Kong is hosting for the second time.

The meeting this morning was addressed by Financial Secretary Henry Tang at the Inaugural Ceremony. The theme of the forum is "Embracing Change, Creating Opportunities" and chaired by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC)'s executive director Mr Michael Sze.

Also attending is chairman and CEO of the Japan External Trade Association (JETRO) Mr Osamu Watanabe. JETRO is the Secretariat of the ATPF.

Directors of trade promotion organisations from Australia, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Singapore, Macau, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei and Vietnam attend the forum.

Delegates will attend a cocktail reception at Government House hosted by Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang, and a Welcome Gala Dinner hosted by TDC Chairman, Mr Peter Woo.

They are meeting to discuss new opportunities for trade promotion organisations in the region, including upgrading capacity, skills and recruiting new talent. Increasing customer satisfaction, e-commerce and opportunities of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Cepa) for TPOs is also on the agenda.

Established in 1987, the ATPF is a gathering of trade promotion organisations in the Asian Region and currently has 21 members. Its objective is to enhance trade in the region through information exchange, implementation of cooperative projects and strengthening networks among members.

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