​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the visiting Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Srettha Thavisin, today (May 29). Also attending the meeting were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; the Secretary-General of the Thailand Board of Investment, Mr Narit Therdsteerasukdi; the Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister of Thailand, Ms Natthriya Thaweevong; and the Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong, Mr Chaturont Chaiyakam.
Welcoming Prime Minister Srettha's visit to Hong Kong again following his previous visit last October, Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong and Thailand have close relations with frequent economic and trade exchanges. He said that Thailand is the fourth-largest trading partner of Hong Kong among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while Hong Kong is also one of the major trading and investment partners of Thailand. In 2023, the total merchandise trade value between Hong Kong and Thailand amounted to about US$19 billion.
Mr Lee pointed out that Hong Kong and Thailand have a close relationship in people-to-people cultural exchanges. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Bank of Thailand launched a service for cross-border QR payments at the end of last year to provide visitors from both places with a safe and convenient cross-border retail payment means. In March and April, a series of Thai-themed events took place in Hong Kong and were widely welcomed by local people and the Thai community in the city, he added.
Mr Lee said that with the unique advantages under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong can serve as an important hub connecting the Mainland with other economies. He encouraged Thai companies to make good use of Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to tap into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area market and participate in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
He thanked Thailand and appealed for its continued support for Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, saying that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government looks forward to further strengthening co-operation with the Thai Government in such areas as trade and commerce, investment as well as culture to achieve mutual benefits.
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