FS begins visit to Paris (with photos)

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, arrived in Paris on September 17 (Paris time) to begin his visit to France.
 
     Yesterday (September 18, Paris time) morning, Mr Chan visited two leading French enterprises and toured their research and development facilities. One of them engages in water resources management and waste recycling technologies, and operates a number of wastewater treatment and water services projects in Hong Kong. Another specialises in smart and digital energy management and offers green transition solutions to enterprises.
 
     Both companies are seeking to expand their businesses in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Mainland and Asia. Mr Chan explained to them Hong Kong's latest developments and advantages in financial services as well as innovation and technology, including policy measures to attract strategic enterprises and facilitate the arrival of talents in Hong Kong. He welcomed the companies to leverage Hong Kong's premier fund-raising platform, in order to further expand and strengthen their regional business. Mr Chan also encouraged them to set up their research and development base in Hong Kong.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Chan visited Station F, a start-up campus in Paris; and met with representatives of La French Tech, France's start-up scene, to understand the policies and work undertaken by the country in nurturing its start-up ecosystem. Mr Chan pointed out that Hong Kong is determined to rise as an international green tech and green finance centre, and is pressing ahead with building a vibrant green tech ecosystem. He said that start-ups in Hong Kong and France can enhance mutual links and exchanges, and there will be a huge room for co-operation in green tech.
 
     In the evening, Mr Chan spoke at the Europe Forum networking reception organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide.
 
     On September 17, Mr Chan met with a young Hong Kong ballet dancer and learned about his journey in pursuing performing arts. He is the first ever Chinese ballet dancer with Opera National de Paris. Mr Chan also met with a number of young Hong Kong musicians and cultural workers in Paris, and learned about their lives in Europe.
 
     Today (September 19, Paris time), Mr Chan will continue his visit to Paris and attend the Think Business Think Hong Kong Symposium organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.