First Government-led Hong Kong Delegation Visits Iran
11 November 2016 – A Hong Kong business delegation visited the Iranian capital Tehran this week to explore new business opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative. It is the city’s first official delegation since the United Nations lifted sanctions against Iran in January this year.
Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Tsang led more than 30 business leaders from finance, information and communications technology, infrastructure and real estate services and logistics sectors to Iran from 7 to 10 November. The delegation was jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
Among them were Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited Yue Yi, Executive Director of China State Construction International Holdings Limited Danny Hung, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong Jack So and the President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Professor Tony Chan.
Forum promotes business ties
Speaking to more than 300 Iranian business leaders at the Iran-Hong Kong Business Cooperation Forum, HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong noted that Iran is a key player in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. “Iran gives us a vivid example of the Belt and Road Initiative in action, including the rail link between Tehran and Yiwu in China’s Zhejiang province. A new Silk Road Railway is also planned from Urumqi to Tehran.”
She added that Hong Kong is part of the Initiative, “providing professional and financial services that are crucial to integrating business along the routes of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road.” Ms Fong called on the business community in Iran to join the next Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on 11 September 2017 to explore more opportunities with their Hong Kong counterparts.
Other speakers at the Forum included Financial Secretary Mr Tsang, Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finances HE Mr Tayyebnia Ali, Director of Foreign Investment Department of Organisation for Investment Economic & Technical Assistance of Iran (OIETAI) Jamali Ahmad, President of Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) Asadollah Asgaroladi and President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines Association (ICCIMA) Gholamhossein Shafei.
Hong Kong- Iran trade links
Iran is Hong Kong's sixth-largest export market in the Middle East. In the first nine months of 2016, Hong Kong’s exports to Iran stood at US$107 million, representing a 16.6 per cent year-on-year increase. Major products include telecommunication equipment and parts, civil engineering and contractors’ plant and equipment, miscellaneous chemical products, electrical apparatus for electrical circuits as well as measuring, checking, analysing & controlling instruments & apparatus.
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HKSAR Financial Secretary John Tsang (centre left) leads a high-level mission to Tehran (7-10 November). Leaders from Hong Kong’s finance, ICT, infrastructure and real estate, logistics and tourism sectors formed the 30-plus strong delegation. The group visited Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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HKSAR Financial Secretary John Tsang addresses more than 300 Iranian business leaders at the Iran-Hong Kong Business Cooperation Forum |
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Mr Tsang (Right) and Iran Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Dr Ali Tayyebnia sign an MoU on economic cooperation
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HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong highlights Hong Kong’s advantages at the Iran-Hong Kong Business Cooperation Forum on 9 November 2016
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Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department
(Dubai) Sarah Al Jundi Tel: (971) 4 3298975 Email: sarah.al.jundi@hktdc.org
(HK) Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org