HK agrees on SME cooperation proposed by Thailand

MANILA, Nov 19 (TNA) -- Hong Kong on Thursday agrees with a Thai proposal on a cooperation between small - and medium-sized enterprise (SME) operators, said a deputy government spokesman. The agreement was made between C Y Leung, chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha during their talks on the sidelines of the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit being held in Manila, said the deputy spokesman. Gen Prayut stressed the joint benefit of SMEs which would enable both sides to reach trade cooperation at every level in which Mr Leung agreed because he also believed SME businesses were vital for Hong Kong. Administrators of the island have encouraged SME players from starting their businesses, an easier access to loan sources with low interest rate, a research and development and issuing laws and regulations which would facilitate SME establishment, according to the deputy spokesman. Mr Leung also proposed that private institution of both sides such as Thai-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce discuss the issue further. Gen Prayut also thanked Mr Leung that Hong Kong rice importers had placed a large purchasing orders from Thailand in the past and asked him to help inspect Thai rice quality upon arriving there to prevent foreign substances contamination. Touching on tourism promotion, Gen Prayut pledged that the Thai government would provide safety to foreign tourists during their stay in Thailand while his government is initiating tourism by the sea which would connect tourism between Thailand with Hong Kong and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the deputy spokesman added. (TNA)