The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) has strengthened economic, academic and cultural ties between Hong Kong and Sicily, Italy, through a series of activities organised during a visit to Palermo from October 14 to 16 (Sicily time).
Led by the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, the visit featured high-level meetings with Sicilian and Palermo government officials, exchanges with representatives of the cultural and academic sectors, a business seminar to promote Hong Kong's role as a strategic gateway to Asian markets, and a university sharing session to introduce Hong Kong's education and career opportunities for Italian students.
Ms Yung met with several senior local officials, including the President of the Regional Assembly of Sicily, Mr Gaetano Galvagno; the Regional Minister of Infrastructure and Mobility of Sicily, Mr Alessandro Aricò; the Mayor of Palermo, Mr Roberto Lagalla; and the Councillor for Culture of the City of Palermo, Mr Antonio Rini. These meetings enabled exchange of views on strengthening Hong Kong–Sicily co-operation and exploring areas of mutual interest.
On October 15, the Brussels ETO conducted a business seminar in collaboration with Invest Hong Kong and the Sicilian regional trade association, Sicindustria, to promote Hong Kong's distinctive business advantages and latest market opportunities to the local business community. Speaking at the seminar, Ms Yung highlighted Hong Kong's economic strengths and international connectivity, emphasising the city's increasingly prominent role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" in the global economy.
"With our unique institutional strengths, extensive global connectivity and unparalleled access to the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asian markets, Hong Kong continues to serve as a trusted partner for international businesses and investors to navigate the increasingly complex international business environment and capture new opportunities for growth," she said. Ms Yung also encouraged Sicilian enterprises and organisations to leverage Hong Kong’s strategic position, robust business ecosystem and extensive international networks to expand their reach across Asia and explore new avenues for collaboration.
In addition, Ms Yung met representatives from the cultural and academic sectors, including the Rector's Delegate for International Cooperation at the University of Palermo, Professor Manfredi Rizzo, as well as the General Manager of Teatro Massimo, Mr Marco Betta. The exchanges facilitated exploration of further academic and cultural collaboration between Hong Kong and Sicily.
The Brussels ETO also gave a talk titled "Hong Kong Study and Career Opportunities" at the University of Palermo to promote Hong Kong as an international higher education hub and career destination for Italian students and young professionals.
