Hong Kong Offers PH Training in Safety, Transport

Philippine Consul General Antonio A. Morales (right) and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor pose for a photo at the conclusion of the former’s call on the latter at the Central Government Offices in Tamar on February 23.

02 March 2018 HONG KONG – Hong Kong is offering free training to the Philippines in various fields of expertise, with a special focus on safety and transportation, as part of the former’s plan to implement China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The offer was extended by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor during a call by Philippine Consul General Antonio A. Morales at the Central Government Offices in Tamar on February 23.

In March 2015, Hong Kong announced “five areas of connectivity” under the BRI: policy co-ordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people ties.

Under this vision, CE Lam says Hong Kong is offering to the Philippines free training in the fields of corruption prevention and prosecution, flood control and prevention, slope safety, fire safety, railway operations management and aviation.

Calling the Philippines “a very important trading partner,” especially after the signing of the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement, CE Lam said her government is pushing for greater outward investment for Hong Kong companies, especially in investment projects related to Belt and Road countries.

She recalled her “very friendly” encounter with President Rodrigo R. Duterte, including a bilateral meeting at the sidelines and their attendance in the same business sessions at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Da Nang, Viet Nam in November 2017.

Noting the positive recommendations of a Hong Kong investor in the Philippines, CE Lam remarked to Consul General Morales on how the investment environment now is “quite favourable” in the Philippines, which enjoys the advantages of “a very skilful labour force” and the absence of strikes.

She also said her government is ready to facilitate any arrangement for any private company in Hong Kong with business interests in the Philippines interested in financing the study of Filipino students in universities Hong Kong. END

For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/.