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understanding of the Special Administrative Region. The sub-division also helps to draw up programmes for non-sponsored visitors coming to Hong Kong on private. trips. In addition, it runs an Overseas Speakers Programme to enable foreign investors to better understand Hong Kong's development and what makes it competitive. Arrangements are also made for senior government officials and prominent members of the community and local personalities to address targeted audiences abroad.

Promoting Hong Kong Overseas and in the Mainland

Europe

In collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and related Hong Kong business associations, the Brussels Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) organised Lunar New Year celebrations in 12 cities across Europe in February and March 2008. Over 2 000 guests from diplomatic, political and business circles attended the events. Renowned jazz guitarist Mr Eugene Pao teamed up with three other jazz musicians from Hong Kong to stage nine performances during the celebrations, earning overwhelmingly positive response. A 10-day Hong Kong Food Festival organised by the Brussels ETO in Berlin in March was also well received.

The Brussels ETO organised the Chief Executive's visit to the Middle East in January. Mr Donald Tsang visited Kuwait, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. He headed a business delegation comprising senior leaders in the financial services and infrastructural and real estate sectors. Mr Tsang also met royal families and leaders in the three countries and attended business luncheons organised by the HKTDC. The visit generated considerable media coverage in those countries.

In May, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang visited Brussels, Milan and Paris, where he met different ministers and senior government officials and attended a series of events to promote Hong Kong, delivering keynote speeches in all three cities on Hong Kong's trade and economic developments.

In October, during a visit to Madrid, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation in wine-related business with Spain, while the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism), Miss Yvonne Choi, signed a similar MoU in Bordeaux with the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Brussels ETO organised an annual film festival, Hong Kong Film Panorama, which showed the latest Hong Kong movies in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Brussels and Madrid. The office also helped organise the 10th Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy in April and two events to pay tribute to well known Hong Kong film director, Johnnie To, at La Cinémathèque Française in Paris in March and at the Lisbon International Film Festival, IndieLisboa, in April.