Chief Executive Carrie Lam

The Former Police Married Quarters, PMQ, is one of eight Conserving Central projects, half of which are now up and running.

Just two weeks ago, I took part in the opening of the nearby Central Police Station Compound – now called Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage & Arts. I must say I am thrilled to see Hong Kong's past rise again – revitalised and radiating life, purpose and good will.

I can say very much the same about Hong Kong and Sweden. Our two economies, our two peoples, are finding good reasons to come together.

Less than two years ago, the Karolinska Institutet's Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine opened here, setting in motion what I am confident will be a long and mutually rewarding collaboration between us in science and technology, as well as the creative industries.

Prince Carl Philip visited Hong Kong just six months ago, here to inaugurate the Swedish Pavilion at Business of Design Week, as well as to launch the first edition of #SwedenTalks_HK, a creative exchange that we very much look forward to building on.

The Prince is definitely not the only person from Sweden to visit us. Thanks to our mutual visa-free arrangement and direct flight connection, arrivals from Sweden to Hong Kong grew by about 25% cumulatively in the past three years.

I am sure our people-to-people bond will continue to grow, especially amongst young people, with our bilateral Working Holiday Scheme commencing operation in January this year.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave these remarks at the Swedish Midsummer & National Day Celebration on June 8.