ENG-2010 — Page 410

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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. Under the programme, arrangements are 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 its partners, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) organised business, investment and thematic seminars in different European cities in 2010 to promote Hong Kong.

Brussels ETO organised an annual film festival, 'The Hong Kong Film Panorama', to promote Hong Kong movies in Europe. A selection of new and classic releases were screened in Amsterdam, Athens, Florence, Malta, Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin, Antwerp and Lisbon. Brussels ETO co-hosted a reception with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Film Development Council on September 3 to celebrate the 67th Venice International Film Festival at which film director Mr John Woo received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award.

The Brussels ETO co-operated with its partners to organise Chinese New Year receptions in nine cities across Europe, attended by over

Europe, attended by over 1 500 guests from diplomatic, political and business circles.

During a visit to Paris on

Paris on October 19-21, the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, signed an agreement with France on the avoidance of double taxation.

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, signed a similar agreement with the Irish Minister of Finance during a visit to Dublin on June 22 - 23.

The Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism), Miss Yvonne Choi, visited Burgundy in France on October 20-23 where she signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in Wine-related Business with the Burgundy region.

On behalf of the HKSAR Government, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Mary Chow, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Italian region of Veneto on August 27. The agreement covers promotion in a wide range of areas from food and wine, economy and trade, tourism and investment to science and technology.

In 2010, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) organised visits by several senior Hong Kong SAR Government officials to the countries under its purview.