Golden Jubilee ˙Golden Partnerships

Press Release1 Dec 2016

Golden Jubilee ˙Golden Partnerships

HKTDC Celebrates 50 Years of Enterprise in Hong Kong

1 December 2016 – More than 1,000 government officials, business leaders and industry representatives joined a cocktail reception this evening to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Over the past five decades, Hong Kong has evolved from a manufacturing base into Asia’s business hub, regional trendsetter and international financial and investment centre. The HKTDC has always moved with the times, providing fresh initiatives to help Hong Kong SMEs overcome challenges and to capture new opportunities.

Entrepreneurial spirit

In his welcoming remarks, Vincent HS Lo, Chairman of the HKTDC said: “In the past 50 years, the HKTDC has been partnering with many of you to create opportunities both at home and abroad. Looking at our city’s achievements today, I must thank you all for putting your trust in us, and for spreading the benefits of our partnership to the wider SME community.”

He added that Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit should be carried forward by future generations. “To do so, we need to build a business-friendly and diverse community. This community should foster a global outlook to help us seize new opportunities like the Belt and Road Initiative. We should also encourage innovation and creativity.”

Top Hong Kong officials and business leaders attend

Officials attending the grand reception included Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So, as well as Qiu Hong, Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR and Tong Xiao Ling, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Former HKTDC Chairmen Peter Woo and Jack So, former HKTDC Executive Directors Michael Sze and Fred Lam as well as HKTDC Council Members were among other guests. The international business community also gathered to support the Council’s work in promoting global business over the past five decades.

Twin exhibitions

A 50^th anniversary exhibition emphasising the HKTDC’s “Golden Jubilee ˙Golden Partnerships” theme has been mounted from 1 to 3 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai alongside the World SME Expo. Featuring historic photos and success stories of Hong Kong’s entrepreneurs, the exhibition charts the city’s economic transformation, and covers stories of business succession, industrial transformation, new market exploration and success in the knowledge economy.

Concurrently, a three-day “Hong Kong Story” photo exhibition (1-3 December) features works by renowned Hong Kong photographers, Simon Yam, Stanley Wong (anothermountainman) and Kelvin Yuen, showcasing different scenes of the city.

Scaling new heights together

Another highlight of the evening was the unveiling for an installation work entitled “Fly Together” created by celebrated Hong Kong artist Simon Ma in collaboration with 500 children who took part in an Art Jam event in July. Symbolising the HKTDC’s logo, the work reflects the aspirations of our future generation to soar to new heights.

Related Websites

HKTDC 50^th Anniversary Website: http://50.hktdc.com/

Photo Me: http://photome.hktdc.com/

Success Stories: http://50.hktdc.com/tc/success_stories/

Media Enquiries:

Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

Media Registration: Media may register on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

About the HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. The 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.

$Description: C:\Users\belam\Documents\Documents\50Y\Photos For Release\Small\LSW_4856.JPG$	In his welcoming remarks, Vincent HS Lo, Chairman, HKTDC says Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit should be passed on to future generation
$Description: C:\Users\belam\Documents\Documents\50Y\Photos For Release\Small\LSW_4935.JPG$	Speaking at the reception, CY Leung, Chief Executive, HKSAR says HKTDC events and services can help SMEs to expand businesses
$Description: C:\Users\belam\Documents\Documents\50Y\Photos For Release\Small\5Q3A7536.JPG$	Vincent HS Lo, Chairman, HKTDC and Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC accompany CY Leung, Chief Executive, HKSAR, on a tour of the “Golden Jubilee · Golden Partnerships” exhibition
$Description: C:\Users\belam\Documents\Documents\50Y\Photos For Release\Small\LSW_4734.JPG$	Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSAR and Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC, visit the “Golden Jubilee · Golden Partnerships” exhibition
$Description: C:\Users\belam\Documents\Documents\50Y\Photos For Release\Small\LSW_5026.JPG$	A mega art installation co-created by distinguished cross-media artist Simon Ma and 500 youngsters is unveiled at the grand reception
$Description: C:\Users\belam\Documents\Documents\50Y\Photos For Release\Small\LSW_5052.JPG$	(from left to right) Tong Xiao Ling, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peter Woo, former Chairman, HKTDC, Qiu Hong, Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, CY Leung, Chief Executive, HKSAR, Vincent HS Lo, Chairman, HKTDC, Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSAR, Jack So, former Chairman, HKTDC and Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC lead a toast on stage
$Description: S:\Beatrice\50Y Cocktail Photos for Press Release\PYP_8390.JPG$	CY Leung, Chief Executive, HKSAR, Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSAR, Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, HKSAR, Qiu Hong, Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Tong Xiao Ling, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent HS Lo, Chairman, HKTDC, Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC, Peter Woo, former Chairman, HKTDC, Jack So, former Chairman, HKTDC, Michael Sze, former Executive Director, HKTDC and Fred Lam, former Executive Director, HKTDC join HKTDC Council Members at the reception
$Description: C:\Users\belam\Documents\Documents\50Y\Photos For Release\Small\LSW_4529.JPG$	An exhibition traces HKTDC's “Golden Jubilee · Golden Partnerships” theme. The exhibition runs from 1 to 3 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside the World SME Expo
$Description: C:\Users\belam\Documents\Documents\50Y\Photos For Release\Small\ZEH_0470.JPG$	Featuring images by three renowned Hong Kong photographers, Simon Yam, Stanley Wong (anothermountainman) and Kelvin Yuen, the “Hong Kong Story” photo exhibition (1-3 December) showcases different scenes of the city