Friday 6 April 2018

Mayor Goff strengthens AKL and HK economic ties

Mayor Phil Goff departs this weekend for Hong Kong on a trip to promote business and closer economic ties between Auckland, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

The trip is being undertaken at the invitation of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region which is also fully-funding the Mayor’s accommodation and travel costs.

Mayor Phil Goff says, “Strengthening our relationship with Hong Kong is valuable for Auckland and New Zealand.

“Hong Kong is the world’s seventh largest trading entity and an important player for New Zealand companies to springboard into the mainland China market. It is an important source of foreign direct investment into Auckland and a significant source of international students.

“The Hong Kong Government regards Auckland as offering important opportunities between our country and Hong Kong. This trip is also a chance to meet successful Kiwi businesses in Hong Kong and understand what we can do in Auckland to further the opportunities for New Zealand business,” says Mayor Goff.

While in Hong Kong, Mayor Goff will tour the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and visit the Kai Tak MTR Station Tunnels and the Happy Valley Stormwater Storage Plant.

Mayor Goff says, “Hong Kong’s work on mass transit and stormwater treatment have relevance to projects we will be delivering in Auckland.

“Visits to the Express Rail link and Happy Valley Stormwater treatment plant will be an opportunity to see rail tunnelling and storm water retention. I’m also interested in furthering the relationship between Auckland International Airport and Hong Kong as there is significant interest from Hong Kong authorities in what our airport is doing to recruit and train its workforce.

“Working together to promote tourism will be a focus during the trip. 2019 has been designated by China as the New Zealand / China Year of Tourism to promote economic growth and cultural relationships between the country, and the vast majority of the more than 400,000 tourists coming from China spend time in Auckland,” says Mayor Goff.

During the four day trip, Mayor Goff will meet with the Permanent Secretaries of core government agencies including Development (infrastructure), Transport and Housing, Environment and Commerce and Economic Development.

He will be accompanied by the New Zealand Consul-General and Head of Post in Hong Kong and former Ambassador to China, Carl Worker.

Mayor’s itinerary

9 April 2018, Monday

· Meeting with the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing to discuss Hong Kong’s Housing Policy

· Meeting with Deputy Director of Information Services for an overview of Hong Kong and the Sponsored Visitors Programme

· Lunch meeting hosted by Secretary for the Environment on environment and nature conservation, including water quality, air quality, waste reduction and recycling, nature conservation

· Meeting with Secretary for Development on Hong Kong’s infrastructure development

· Visit to the Kai Tak MTR Station and Tunnels

10 April 2018, Tuesday

· Meeting with the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs on “one country, two systems”.

· Meeting with Solicitor General, Department of Justice, on Hong Kong’s rule of law

· Meeting with the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development on bilateral trade between New Zealand and Hong Kong; as well as Hong Kong’s advantages for the Belt and Road Initiative and opportunities arising from Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area

· Meet with the Dean, Hong Kong International Aviation Academy

· Visit to Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

· HK Kiwi community event at NZ Consulate

11 April 2018, Wednesday

· Visit to the West Kowloon Terminus of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Links and the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Plant

· Lunch with New Zealand business people hosted by the New Zealand Consul-General

· Depart Hong Kong for Auckland

ENDS

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