On the picture Mr Hans Poulis Chairman of the Netherlands Hong Kong Society.
Shirley Lam Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Unión and Hans Poulis Chairman of the Netherlands Hong Kong Society hosted a traditional Chinese music concert by the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble and a reception on the occasion of the Chinese New Year at Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De Witte last Monday.
As already expected it was a tremendous turnout and an important milestone in the business and social agenda of The Hague.
After a warmth welcome speech from Mr. George Ammerlaan, Director, Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands the floor was taken by Ms Shirley Lam followed by Mr. Rabin Baldewsingh guest of honor, Alderman of the City of The Hague and Mr. Hans Poulis.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures on the Chinese New Year Celebration at Sociëteit De Witte, please click here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157664778032756
Furthermore, the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble, delivered a musical intermezzo, which was very much appreciated by the guests. Following the performance with invitees coming from the Netherlands and Belgium, a reception and Chinese buffet.
Mr. Hans Poulis, Chairman of the Netherlands Hong Kong Society remarked that 2015 was a good year for the economic relations between Hong Kong and the Netherlands.
” Last year our country remained the third largest export market for Hong Kong in the EU, after Germany and the United Kingdom and ahead of countries like France, Italy and Spain. In fact, the Netherlands became Hong Kong’s 11th largest export market in the world in 2015. Jumping 4 places in one year! Hong Kong’s total exports to the Netherlands had a value of more than US$ 6.7 billion, up more than 10% compared with 2013″ he said.
“Of course” he continued ” a substantial part of these goods is re-exported from the Netherlands to other countries but, we cannot stress this enough, very often Dutch companies are sourcing and buying these goods in Hong Kong and China. Regrettably our own exports to Hong Kong dropped in 2015, by more than 12% but still had a value of more than US$ 2.9 billion”
“Roughly one thirds of the Dutch exports were milk products. Dutch buyers continued to visit the many excellent and important trade fairs in Hong Kong and Dutch companies again joined these fairs as exhibitors.
The Netherlands Hong Kong Society itself brought a mission of more than 10 persons to the Hong Kong Forum of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide in early December. In my capacity as CEO of IGC Global Communications I will head a mission of more than 80 persons to the Gift and Premium Fair in April.
According to our friends from Invest Hong Kong, 195 Dutch companies were established with an office in Hong Kong in mid-2015. During the year, an extra three Dutch companies set up an office in the Special Administrative Region.
Our Consul General in Hong Kong, Mr Wilfred Mohr, informed me in December that the Dutch community in Hong Kong is the largest community of our countrymen and -women in Asia. There may be more than 5000 Dutch nationals in Hong Kong, including Hong Kong or Chinese born persons with a Dutch passport who have retired to the city.”
As closing remarks Mr Poulis added “Our work would not be possible without the support of our partners and members, of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
We need your support. If you have not joined us, please do. Our network is strong, our events are interesting and, I think we can all agree on this, there are still many, many opportunities for trade in, with or via Hong Kong.”
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, is the official representation of the Hong Kong Government to the European Union and 15 European countries, including the Netherlands. The aim is to promote the bilateral political, economic and cultural relations between Hong Kong and the Netherlands. Last Monday’s event was organized by the same Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Unión together with the Netherlands Hong Kong Society .
