HKETONY promotes Hong Kong’s opportunities in Atlanta (with photos)

     The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY), Ms Maisie Ho, visited Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, from September 5 to 8 (Atlanta time) to promote Hong Kong's business opportunities and talent attraction measures.
 
     During a luncheon on September 6 with representatives of European American chambers of commerce in Atlanta, Ms Ho highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantages and the abundant opportunities available for companies worldwide.
 
     "Hong Kong is currently home to a total of nearly 15 000 non-Hong Kong companies, an all-time high figure. This signifies the unwavering importance of Hong Kong as an international business hub," she said.
 
     "Hong Kong uniquely embodies the 'one country, two systems' principle, making it the only city that combines advantages from both China and the international community. As of 2023, 60 per cent of Mainland China's accumulated foreign investment had originated from or passed through Hong Kong. This signifies how Hong Kong continue to position itself as a crucial 'super connector' between Mainland China and the rest of the world," she added.
 
     On the same day, Ms Ho cohosted with the Hong Kong Association of Atlanta two career-sharing sessions at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology. She provided an overview of various talent admission schemes in Hong Kong and encouraged attendees to explore the city's dynamic career opportunities. Both universities are on the list of eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme.
 
     "Through various talent admission schemes, we have since 2022 received over 320 000 applications from around the world. Nearly 200 000 of them have been approved, and over 130 000 talents have already settled in Hong Kong," Ms Ho remarked.
 
     On September 7, Ms Ho officiated at the Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, kicking off the festivities for this largest Hong Kong cultural event in Georgia, which the HKETONY introduced to the region in 1995.
 
     This year's festival was joined by 75 teams, comprising paddlers from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Among them was the HKETONY Dragon Riders team. The HKETONY also set up a festival booth to promote Hong Kong to spectators.