Chief executive encourages Chilean firms to list in HK

The chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Donald encouraged Chile's resources sector to consider listing in Hong Kong while visiting Santiago to promote Hong Kong's renminbi business.

"In each of the past three years, Hong Kong has led the world in terms of funds raised through initial public offerings. While our nation is a major consumer of mining commodities, Chile is a major exporter. It is a promising combination," he said addressing the Santiago business community at a dinner hosted by Standard Chartered Bank Chile Thursday local time.

On his arrival earlier that day, Tsang met with Chile's Minister of Finance Felipe Larrain and Vice Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Tomas Flores. He then gave a speech at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, on Hong Kong's role in China's development.

In the next two days, Tsang will meet Chile's Vice President Rodrigo Hinzpeter, Central Bank Governor Rodrigo Vergara and leaders of the country's National Congress. He will also meet local business community leaders before visiting Brazil Sunday local time.

Chile was Hong Kong's fourth largest trading partner in Latin America, with an average annual growth of 12.4 percent in bilateral trade from 2007 to 2011. Last year, 6.13 billion HK dollars (about 790 million U.S. dollars) worth of goods between Chile and the Chinese mainland were routed through Hong Kong.