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It is an honour and a pleasure to be the first Chairman
of the Hong Kong-Thailand
Business Council. The idea of the Council
goes back to an official meeting between Former Prime Minister
of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra and the Former Chief
Executive of Hong Kong SAR, Mr. Tung Chee-hwa in Hong
Kong in May 2001, during which the theme of the two
economies forming a partnership of "two gateways"
was highlighted. Although the two economies enjoyed
close business ties, there was still no private sector-led
organization in Hong Kong representing and promoting
the interests of the Thai and Hong Kong business communities.
It seemed that the time was right to establish such
a body, to bring Hong Kong and Thai business people
and companies in Hong Kong closer together.
In launching the Council, we have received invaluable
encouragement from the most senior levels in the Thailand
and Hong Kong SAR governments, and we received generous
support from prominent members of the Hong Kong business
community, who agreed to act as advisors. All of us
concerned with establishing the Council have been
overwhelmed by the reception we have received from
individuals and companies we have invited to become
members. The best way we can thank everyone for their
assistance is to ensure that we build up an organization
that makes a practical and effective contribution
to the development of business ties between the two
economies.
Bernard Charnwut Chan, GBS, JP
Chairman
The Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council
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