November 17, 2012

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam visited Madrid and Barcelona, Spain on November 15 and 16 (Madrid time) and held talks with local officials to promote Hong Kong, particularly the West Kowloon Cultural District.
 
On November 15, Mrs Lam met with the Secretary of State for Education, Vocational Training & Universities Montserrat Gomendio. They discussed enhancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Spain in higher education and arts administration as well as on promoting exchanges between youth of the two places. 
 
Mrs Lam also briefed Ministry of Education, Culture & Sport on the development officials on the West Kowloon Cultural District and Hong Kong’s creative industries, and invited Spain to consider becoming a future partner at the Business of Design Week organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre.
 
 At a business luncheon co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Brussels and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mrs Lam spoke to 100 guests about Hong Kong's latest developments.
 
She promoted Hong Kong’s status as a regional wine trading and distribution hub and the discussed the advantages of doing business in Hong Kong, as well as opportunities under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between Mainland China and Hong Kong.
 
Mrs Lam also briefed the Minister for Public Works Ana Maria Pastor Julian on Hong Kong's various infrastructure development projects and the many opportunities available to Spanish construction firms.
 
Mrs Lam then signed two bilateral agreements with the Secretary of State for Justice, Mr Fernando Roman on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and Transfer of Sentenced Persons. She also explained the successful implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement.
 
On November 16, Mrs Lam went to Barcelona and met with the Mayor of Barcelona Xavier Trias. They exchanged views on strengthening co-operation between the two cities in areas such as urban regeneration and harbourfront enhancement. She also briefed him on infrastructure developments in Hong Kong, including the West Kowloon Cultural District.
 
Mrs Lam signed a memorandum of understanding with the mayor, seeking to promote exchanges between Hong Kong and Barcelona in the spheres of urban planning, urban design, infrastructure development and waterfront design. She also toured Barcelona's cityscape.
 
She will return to Hong Kong on November 17, concluding her visits to the United Kingdom and Spain.