Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Gregory So concluded his visit to Japan today by opening the Think Global, Think Hong Kong symposium in Osaka.
He said the vast Japanese presence in Hong Kong speaks of the confidence Japan has in the city and in its distinctive advantages as the preferred base from which to do business in Asia.
Hong Kong is the fastest and the most efficient route to the Mainland's huge business opportunities for Japanese companies.
Japanese enterprises can take advantage of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, Hong Kong's free trade pact with the Mainland, to gain tariff-free entry in the Mainland market for goods produced in Hong Kong, he said.
The symposium was held by the Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Tokyo.
More than 400 political and business leaders attended the event.
Mr So also met Osaka Prefecture Governor Ichiro Matsui.
He will return to Hong Kong tonight.
