Over 400 guests attended the Chinese New Year reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, the Belgium-Hong Kong Society and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council at the Concert Noble in Brussels on 19 February 2010.

A traditional lion dance ushered in the Year of the Tiger and guests enjoyed a performance by outstanding actor Mr Wong Tze Kwan, who demonstrated the Chinese opera dramatic art of 'Face Change'. See the extract of the performance on this page.

In her keynote speech, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Mary Chow, said that over the last two years the Hong Kong Government has taken a number of economic stimulus measures including speeding up infrastructure projects as well as creating and preserving job opportunities. 

"These measures have shown their worth and the latest economic indicators suggested that steady improvements might be on its way.  We have managed to keep our status of being the world's freest economy according to both the Heritage Foundation and the Fraser Institute.  In 2009 Invest Hong Kong helped 265 overseas, Mainland and Taiwanese firms establish or expand their business presence in Hong Kong.  This is the Department's record in attracting foreign direct investment to the city." 

She added that in an attempt to relaunch our economy, the Government has also identified six new economic sectors where Hong Kong enjoys a competitive edge. 

"The cultural and creative sector is one of them and an ambitious arts development project is well underway on a waterfront site in Kowloon.  Covering over 40 hectares and including 15 arts facilities, the development is called the West Kowloon Cultural District and has the potential to become the cultural focus of the Pearl River Delta.  The first phase of this project is scheduled to complete in 2014/15."

Innovation and technology is another new sector with great potential, she added.

"Back in 1999, the Government set up an innovation and technology fund to encourage our business community to embrace the culture of innovation.  The Fund has so far supported more than 1,700 projects amounting to almost HK$5 billion (EUR 455 million).  These projects have brought about technological upgrading and encouraged collaboration between industries and academia.  In April this year, we will introduce a new "R&D Cash Rebate Scheme" to foster a research culture among enterprises.  Under the scheme, enterprises conducting applied R&D will enjoy a cash rebate equivalent to 10 per cent of their R&D investment."  Belgian companies would also be able to benefit from this development.

Other speakers at the event were the Chairman of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, Mr Piet Steel, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's Director for the UK & Ireland, Mr David Marsden.  Mr Marsden paid a tribute to Mr Georges Ammerlaan, the HKTDC's former Director for the Benelux, whose Amsterdam-based office has just closed following a redeployment of HKTDC resources. Mr Ammerlaan, who remains a board member of the Netherlands-Hong Kong Society, is presently engaged in the founding of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.