Proceeding to Brussels, Belgium as he continued a visit to Europe, Financial Secretary Paul Chan yesterday met European Union officials and European business leaders and took the opportunity to promote Hong Kong’s advantages.

Mr Chan met the European Commission’s Deputy Director-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services & Capital Markets Union Alexandra Jour-Schroeder; Hors Classe Adviser in its Directorate-General for Budget Siegfried Ruhl; and Managing Director for Asia & the Pacific at the European External Action Service Erik Kurzweil.

They exchanged views on the situation both in Hong Kong and Europe with regard to aspects such as economic growth, finance, trade and fiscal policy, and discuss ways to achieve greater co-operation and build closer “win-win” relations.

Mr Chan briefed the officials on Hong Kong’s economic and financial development. He highlighted that, amid today’s challenging international environment, Hong Kong ¬– under “one country, two systems” – maintains its status as a free port, offering free flows of capital, information and talent. He added that it adheres to international best practices in business, accounting and professional services, has stable and predictable economic and trade policies, and continues to innovate and develop its financial markets. He invited the European business and investment community to make full use of Hong Kong as a platform to raise funds and develop opportunities in the Chinese Mainland and Asia.

Stressing that there is room for Hong Kong and Europe to strengthen co-operation in various fields, Mr Chan said the two sides should engage in more exchanges of experience, mutual learning and joint development.

He said that in the financial sector the two sides might explore arrangements for dual listing by European enterprises, develop fixed-income and currency markets, promote green finance and financial innovation, and better channel private savings to support industries and economic development.

The Financial Secretary also met Valérie Urbain, who is Chief Executive Officer of Euroclear, a European financial intermediary institution, to exchange views on the global economic situation and financial market developments.

In addition, he met a representative of a renowned local family to learn about the development of its business interests in Hong Kong and Asia, and outlined Hong Kong’s advantages. He suggested that the group increase its investments in Hong Kong and use the city as its regional headquarters.

Mr Chan also called on Head of Mission & Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union Cai Run, and Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Belgium Fei Shengchao. They held in-depth exchanges on China-Europe relations and the latest developments in Hong Kong.