HKTDC Chairman Jack So Bids Farewell
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| Guests propose a toast to Jack So during his farewell cocktail reception. From left: HKTDC Council members Helen Wong, Michael Hui, Patrick Nip, Ayesha Lau, Dr Jonathan Choi, HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong, Acting Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam, HKTDC Chairman Jack So, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR John Tsang, HKTDC Council members Andrew Leung, Stanley Lau, Shirley Chan, YK Pang, Dr Eddy Li and Edith Law | |
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HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong presents a commemorative photo album to outgoing Chairman Jack So
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Jack So leaves the HKTDC on 31 May after serving the Council for almost 15 years in various capacities |
22 May 2015 – About 700 government officials and business leaders gathered at a cocktail reception this evening (22 May) in honour of Jack So, outgoing Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), who will complete his term at the end of this month. Among the attendees representing the Hong Kong SAR Government were Acting Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Financial Secretary John Tsang. Other political and business leaders attending the event included President of the Legislative Council Jasper Tsang, Regina Ip, Chow Chung Kong and Frederick Ma.
In his speech, Mr So thanked his colleagues at the HKTDC for their support and understanding during his years with the Council, which he described as “the happiest time of my life.”
He also spoke about Hong Kong’s future role in the development of the Chinese mainland. “A new challenge will be to synchronise Hong Kong’s role with China’s 13th Five-Year Plan and our role in the “One Belt, One Road” programme,” Mr So said.
“The TDC has many offices in the ‘One Belt, One Road’ footprint and Hong Kong is in a good position to offer its services to the motherland in the 21st Century.”
HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong paid tribute to Mr So for his contributions to the Council. She said: “During his nearly 15-year association with the TDC, especially in his role as Chairman for the past seven-plus years, Jack has helped guide us through a period of transformation, challenge and growth.
“He also pioneered the Hong Kong Business Associations overseas, which today comprises a network of 39 associations with some 11,000 members in 28 countries, “all acting as Hong Kong’s ambassadors around the world. This would not have been possible without Jack.”
As Executive Director from 1985-1992, Mr So spearheaded the building of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, enabling the local exhibition industry to grow. He was appointed HKTDC Chairman in 2007. Since then, he advocated the development of Hong Kong’s services industries.
Pioneering Spirit
Among the other speakers at the reception was HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Sophia Chong, who praised Mr So for his vision and determination. “When people are merely talking about ideas, our Chairman went straight into making them happen,” Ms Chong said, citing Mr So’s initiatives that helped to reinvigorate Hong Kong’s film industry.
Mr So’s commitment to providing value to customers and exceeding their expectations contributed to the HKTDC’s success, according to Ms Chong. “This philosophy ensures that we are always close to the market and stay relevant to our stakeholders,” she said.
Other speakers at the ceremony were HKTDC Council Member Andrew Leung, and business leader Lawrence Ma, CEO of Lee Heng Diamond Group. Mr Leung praised Mr So for being a trendsetter and visionary. He was particularly impressed by Mr So’s move to set up the Council’s first mainland office, in Beijing, back in 1986, helping Hong Kong traders make inroads to China. Mr Ma highlighted Mr So’s outstanding leadership and management abilities, saying he was always “doing the right things and doing things right.”
Distinguished Career
Mr So began his career with the Hong Kong Government before joining the private sector in 1978, holding several senior positions in stockbroking, banking and property development. In addition to his roles at the HKTDC, Mr So was Chairman and Chief Executive of the MTR Corporation in 1995 and served as Deputy Chairman and Group Managing Director of PCCW from 2003 to 2007.
Mr So has been a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference since 2008 and is an International Business Advisor to the Mayor of Beijing. He was appointed Honorary Consultant to the Mayor of San Francisco in May 2013. Mr So will take up the post of Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong on 1 June. Mr Vincent Lo will take up the position of HKTDC Chairman on 1 June.
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Jack So became HKTDC Executive Director in 1985. One of his major initiatives was to spearhead construction of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, which has helped establish Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s trade fair capital and world-class business hub |
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Jack So helped create and expand a number of the HKTDC’s trade fairs and exhibitions. He also launched public fairs such as Book Fair (left) and Food Expo (right)
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Jack So introduced community fairs such as the HKTDC Education & Careers Expo (left) and Entrepreneur Day (right)
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(Left): Jack So (second right) attended the opening of the HKTDC’s first Chinese mainland office, in Beijing in 1986. He recognised the importance and potential of the Chinese mainland market for Hong Kong’s SMEs. The HKTDC currently has 13 offices on the mainland as well as a branch office in Taipei
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Mr So set up the first Design Gallery outlet to promote local designers and establish Hong Kong’s reputation as a centre for creativity and innovation. The Design Gallery concept has become a unique network of three shops in Hong Kong and more than 20 outlets on the Chinese mainland
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Mr So received mainland missions to Hong Kong, helping Hong Kong manufacturers explore new production bases across the border |
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Mr So took Hong Kong’s trade message to the world. On his many travels, he opened doors to emerging markets and helped Hong Kong seize new business opportunities
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Mr So spearheaded the Hong Kong Business Associations overseas, uniting global traders doing business with Hong Kong. He also set up numerous industry advisory committees and bilateral committees, inviting industry players to give their views on the future direction of trade promotion activities
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Mr So was appointed Chairman of the HKTDC in 2007. He helped to promote Hong Kong’s services industries and organised outbound missions to encourage tripartite co-operation among Hong Kong, mainland and overseas companies
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Through his long involvement with the Film Development Council, Mr So helped to finance numerous local productions and cultivated a new generation of filmmakers via the Film Development Fund
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Mr So enjoyed spending time with his HKTDC colleagues, and sometimes demonstrated his sporting ability, including his water-skiing skills
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Mr So helped nurture a team spirit within the HKTDC and will always be regarded as a member of the “Big TDC Family” |
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs:
Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.