New HKETO Director Arrives

Mid-September saw a change in leadership at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) with Mr Bassanio So arriving to replace Mrs Rosanna Ure as the principal representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in Canada. 

Mrs Ure completed her 3-year tenure and returned to Hong Kong to take up her new job as Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Narcotics.

On his arrival, Mr So, who previously served as Principal Assistant Secretary of the Constitutional Affairs Bureau of the HKSARG, said that he looked forward to working closely with all friends of the HKETO in the federal, provincial and city 
governments, local communities and in the media to build on the good foundation of co-operation laid by Mrs Ure and her predecessors. 

“Despite the challenges brought about by cost-cutting and productivity enhancement measures, the HKETO will spare no efforts in further enhancing the already close Hong Kong-Canada ties, and promoting further business and cultural exchanges between the two places," said Mr So. 

Mr So joined the Hong Kong Administrative Service in 1991 and has served in various positions in the Security Branch, Industry Department, Kowloon City District Office and Finance Branch. His posting in the HKETO in Brussels between 1995 and 1998 has given him solid experience in promoting Hong Kong overseas.

Before her departure, Mrs Ure said she had full confidence in Hong Kong’s future prominence as the pre-eminent gateway for foreign businesses to enter the China market. As Hong Kong bounces back from the SARS fallout and moves ahead to relaunch its economy, she expects stronger growth in the number of overseas companies setting up offices in Hong Kong to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with Mainland China. 

“I have handed over the important task of promoting Hong Kong’s business opportunities and interests in Canada to my successor," said Mrs Ure. “I wish him every success in his future endeavours."

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