Lee eager to start 'interconnected growth'

Wallis Wang

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu arrived in Lima, Peru, yesterday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economic leaders' meeting.

He was welcomed at the airport by Peru's minister for energy and mining Mucho Mamani and the Chinese ambassador to Peru, Song Yang.

"We're excited about this significant trip and look forward to the meetings," Lee said.

Lee said this year's Apec, under the theme of "Empower. Include. Grow," will discuss trade and investment for inclusive and interconnected growth, innovation and digitalization to promote a transition to the formal and global economy, as well as sustainable growth for resilient development.

"Apart from attending the Apec economic leaders' meeting, I will have bilateral meetings with leaders of the other economies to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and meet with local business leaders in Lima," he said.

He also announced that the SAR would sign a free trade agreement with Peru this week, covering trade in goods, services, investment, and other related areas, providing a transparent and favorable platform for Hong Kong investors.

The Consul General of Peru in Hong Kong, Enrique Cardenas, said the implementation of the free trade agreement will enhance trade and investment between the two regions, and added that the Peruvian government will cooperate with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to introduce the SAR's business opportunities to the corporate sector in Peru.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Algernon Yau Ying-wah, who arrived in Lima a day earlier, met with Thailand's minister of commerce Pichai Naripthaphan and Indonesian minister of trade Budi Santoso where he introduced Hong Kong's latest developments while exploring cooperation opportunities with them. He also thanked them for supporting Hong Kong's bid to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.