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Commerce and Industry
The Washington ETO represents Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in the US, monitors developments that may affect Hong Kong's interests, and promotes Hong Kong's bilateral relations with the US. The New York and San Francisco ETOS promote Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in 31 eastern states and 19 western states of the US respectively.
The ETOS in Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto are responsible for bilateral economic and trade. relations in their host countries. In addition, the Sydney ETO covers New Zealand and the Tokyo ETO covers Korea. The Jakarta ETO represents the HKSAR Government in matters between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a whole, and in particular matters with Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and the Philippines. The Bangkok ETO strengthens economic ties with Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Bangladesh, while the Singapore ETO covers Singapore, Laos, Vietnam and India.
Promotional activities organised by the ETOS are set out in the 'Promoting Hong Kong Worldwide' section of Chapter 17 Media and Communications.
To consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status in the international trade market and to explore new business opportunities, preparations are under way to set up new ETOs, including one in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which is expected to open in 2020.
External Commercial Relations
Participation in World Trade Organisation
The rule-based multilateral trading system under the auspices of the WTO is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's external trade policy. Hong Kong is a founding member of the WTO and has continued its separate membership under the name 'Hong Kong, China' since the establishment of the HKSAR. Hong Kong takes part actively in WTO discussions to safeguard Hong Kong's trade interest and contribute to the WTO reform process.
Regional Economic Cooperation
Hong Kong plays an active role in enhancing regional economic cooperation. It takes part as a full and separate member in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a regional forum for high-level dialogue and trade and economic cooperation, under the name 'Hong Kong, China. In May, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau Tang-wah, represented Hong Kong at the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Viña del Mar, Chile. Hong Kong conducted about 84 per cent of its external trade with the other 20 APEC member economies during the year.
Hong Kong also takes part in the non-governmental Pacific Economic Cooperation Council through the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation. The council comprises government officials, business leaders and academics, and works on policy issues to enhance trade, investment and economic development in the Pacific region.
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