Hong Kong's creative industries and trade opportunities promoted in Italy

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, started her visit programmes in Venice on 11 September to promote Hong Kong's creative industries and trade opportunities.

Mrs Lau visited the joint chamber of commerce of Veneto (Centro Estero Veneto) and met representatives from the Veneto Region Chambers of Commerce and major entrepreneurs' associations. She encouraged the Italian business sector to take advantage of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and Hong Kong's unique position to tap the Mainland market, and make use of Hong Kong's abolition of wine duty to expand their trade in this area.

Mrs Lau then visited the 11th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition to have a preview of the Hong Kong exhibition before officiating at its opening ceremony on 12 September.

She also attended the opening of the China pavilion at the Venice Biennale and exchanged views with Cultural Consul of Chinese Embassy in Italy, Mr Zhang Jianda, on the development of creative industries in both Mainland China and Hong Kong.