Trade exchanges between Romania and Hong Kong amount to 93 million dollars in November 2009Updated: 23-03-2010 | Business

Trade exchanges between Romania and Hong Kong amounted to 93.38 million dollars over January-November 2009, the balance being favourable to Romania, with exports of 78 million dollars, adviser with the Ministry of Economy Anca Turcea told the conference organized by the Hong Kong Trade Association on Friday.

'Trade exchanges amounted to over 93 million dollars in November 2009 and Romania's exports to Hong Kong exceeded 78.8 million dollars, up by 64 percent compared to 2008,' said the representative of the Ministry of Economy.

Romania's exports to Hong Kong were mainly based on equipment, machines, food, vehicles, live animals and animal produce, and Romania imported building materials, technology, optical installations and textiles.

'Hong Kong is an open gate to China, and I believe that, this year, Romania's presence on the Chinese market will be much stronger. We want to enter the Chinese market with new products and, in November, we will attend the biggest fair in Hong Kong, with a delegation of Romanian wine producers,' said president of the Romania-China Chamber of Commerce Gabriel Ghelmegeanu.

The representatives of Hong Kong mentioned the investment opportunities in the city, especially, because it was considered to be the freest economy in the world, the economic growth forecasted for 2010 being of 4-5 percent.

The Hong Kong companies are also seeking investment opportunities in Romania, especially in infrastructure, on public-private partnership projects, as well as in the banking field, for example. Thus one of the biggest banks in the world, HSBC with roots in Hong Kong, may enter the Romanian banking market.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) on Friday organized a business seminar in Bucharest together with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

According to Agerpres, in the past few years the cooperation between Romania and Hong Kong has developed rapidly and, on this occasion, the Romanian companies were invited to take advantage of the new business opportunities in China.