Mayor Shiow-yen Lu paid a one-day visit to Hong Kong today (28th) to facilitate economic development and witness the signing of cooperation agreement between Taichung Farmers’ Association and The Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ & Exporters’ Association, hoping to forge a long-term cooperative relationship between both parties. According to Mayor Lu, it is hoped that by signing the bilateral agreement, the entire world will be able to taste Taichung’s fruits and smell the fragrance of the city’s flowers, in turn generating business opportunities in both cities and striving to achieve economic development.

Mayor Lu embarked on a one-day trip to Hong Kong in an effort to foster economic development. After arriving in Hong Kong, she was invited to attend a luncheon prepared by The Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ & Exporters’ Association, where she met and share a pleasant conversation with the newly appointed President Lung-an Lin, Vice President, and chief secretary Chin-hsiang Chen. Mayor Lu also presented President Lin with locally cultivated Lishan tea, hoping to market Taichung’s agricultural products and expand business opportunities.

Next, Mayor Lu traveled to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to witness the signing of cooperation agreement between the Executive Director of Taichung Farmers’ Association Yu-wei Lin and President Lung-an Lin of The Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ & Exporters’ Association. Before signing the agreement, the association has already purchased 14 tons of Wish My Blessing to You Murcott Ponkan gift set produced by Dongshih District Farmers’ Association for nearly 1,000 association members (equivalent to 2,200 cases), each containing 6 or a dozen Murcott Ponkans.

Besides Taichung City, the association also signed a friendly agreement with Guangdong's Association For Promotion of Cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong & Macao and Fujian Province Importers’ & Exporters’ Association. The event was witnessed by Fujian Province Deputy Province Governor Hsin-tsung Cheng and other dignitaries, indicating that both associations - featuring more than 4,000 members and generating an annual turnover of RMB 7 trillion – place great importance in this agreement.

During the event, the film Taichung – The Heart of Taiwan was screened to market the picturesque beauty of Taichung, while oncidium orchid, lily, Murcott Ponkan, pear, pitaya, Lishan tea, and honey, as well as an assortment of gourmet pastries were displayed to market Taichung’s specialty products to Hong Kong, taking the all-important first step towards marketing Taichung.

During her speech, Mayor Lu commented that Hong Kong is the most successful and the largest trading hub in the world, and The Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ & Exporters’ Association is the most prominent organization among Hong Kong’s top 5 industry associations. Each member of the association is a successful merchant, therefore it is hoped that bilateral business opportunities can be generated by forging the friendly agreement.

Mayor Lu also suggested that Hong Kong is an outstanding platform for showcasing Taichung’s premium agricultural products. According to her, Taiwan is the kingdom of fruits, and the fruits of Taichung are like the crown jewels of the King, therefore it is hoped that more consumers will purchase Taichung’s fruits. Through the channel in Hong Kong, people around the world will be able to savor the taste of fruits and fragrance of flowers produced by the Land Kissed by God.

According to Mayor Lu, Taichung is a touching city blessed with magnificent scenery, wonderful environment, superb talents, and excellent products, therefore all the citizens are willing to strive for the better good of the city, hoping to achieve a win-win situation for both parties and expand infinite future business potential.

Association President Lung-an Lin indicated that by signing the cooperation agreement, the aim is to facilitate business activities between Guangdong, Hong Kong, Fujian, and Taiwan, as well as strengthen agricultural, trade and IT industry developments in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Ultimately, the agreement is expected to create a multiple-win situation through reinforced collaborations.

According to Dongshih District Farmers’ Association Executive Director Shih-hsin Tien, the seasonal fruit exported to Hong Kong is Murcott Ponkan. Taiwan’s tangerines are extremely competitive globally, therefore it is hoped to use Hong Kong as the springboard to facilitate exports to China and restore the former glory of Murcott Ponkan export in the future.

By signing a cooperation agreement with The Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ & Exporters’ Association, Taichung Farmers’ Association intends to expand economic and trade developments between Taiwan and Hong Kong, in turn foster economic prosperity in both regions. The agreement endeavors to fortify ties between both associations and provide association affairs and business activity-related information while promoting exchanges between personnel, technology, and capital. In addition, both parties can proactively participate in various product fairs as well as economic and trade activities based on local economic policies or product and industry advantages. Both parties have also made commitments to assist each other in coordinating with local governments or related organizations and provide the necessary service.