Hong Kong Explores Deeper Ties with Cambodia and ASEAN

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    Hong Kong Cambodia
    Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (left), meets with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mr Hun Manet (right), in Cambodia.

    PHNOM PENH – Hong Kong is on a mission to strengthen bilateral relations with Cambodia and the wider Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

    John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, led a high-level business delegation to Cambodia from July 30-31, 2024, to explore new opportunities for closer cooperation.

    During the visit, Lee met with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha to discuss issues of common interest, aiming to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two regions.

    The visit resulted in the exchange of 13 memoranda of understanding between various organizations and enterprises from Hong Kong and Cambodia.

    These agreements covered areas such as economic cooperation, trade, investment promotion, aviation, information technology, and financial services.

    Lee emphasized Hong Kong’s unique position under the “one country, two systems” principle, highlighting the region’s advantages in the free flow of information, capital, goods, and people, along with its sophisticated infrastructure and strong international connectivity.

    He underscored Hong Kong’s role as a prime connection point for overseas enterprises looking to tap into growth markets in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and throughout China.

    Hong Kong offers international experience and expertise in finance, trade, professional services, transport, and logistics to the Greater Bay Area. Lee invited Cambodian enterprises and entrepreneurs to partner with Hong Kong to leverage these opportunities.

    The business delegation also showcased the benefits of relocating to Hong Kong, exemplified by Cambodian finance professional Robert Lay.

    Lay relocated to Hong Kong in 2023 under the city’s Top Talent Pass Scheme. He cited Hong Kong’s access to Greater China and its status as a hub for key capital market players as significant factors in his decision. Lay’s family also benefited from the city’s flexible and international education system.

    Hong Kong continues to position itself as a gateway to the Greater Bay Area and a vital player in international trade and investment, seeking to build stronger ties with Cambodia and the ASEAN region.

    Business News Asia