Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009 Festival to launch in May
In May, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York will launch the month-long Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009 Festival, in conjunction with Chicago’s celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

The festival celebrates Hong Kong’s creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural and economic vitality through art, films, exhibitions, concerts and educational symposiums.

Key contract signed for Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge
On March 13, representatives of the three sides in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) signed a contract for the preliminary design and studies of the HZMB project in Zhuhai.

The signing of the contract with the China Highway Planning and Design Institute (HPDI), the consortium spearheading the preliminary work, marks a major step forward in the HZMB project.

Commissioner makes first official visit to South Florida
Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong made his first official visit to Miami in mid-March, where he spoke at a luncheon co-organized by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

Addressing local business and community leaders on March 17, Mr. Tong gave an update on the latest economic and trade situation in Hong Kong and the impact of the global financial crisis on the territory. He also reiterated that since the Handover in 1997, Hong Kong remains a free and pluralistic society.

Multi-currency, cross-border payment arrangements established
On March 16, a multi-currency, cross-border payment arrangement made between the Mainland and Hong Kong went live.

The arrangement was jointly taken by by the People’s Bank of China and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. 

Government backs RFID technology
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is a staunch supporter of the development of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, according to Commissioner for Innovation and Technology Eddy Chan.

Speaking at a recent Hong Kong forum, Harnessing the Power of RFID/Electronic Product Code (EPC) Technology in Modern Logistics, Mr. Chan noted RFID technology is one of the top research areas for the Hong Kong R&D Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Enabling Technologies.