As part of the Zions Bank Utah Trade Mission to Hong Kong and China, Governor Gary R. Herbert attended several meetings on Sept. 16 and 17 with some of China’s top business leaders to strengthen existing international relationships and build new ones.
“Utah has already earned significant global recognition,” Gov. Herbert said. “That comes in part from the longstanding relationships we have with Hong Kong and greater China. This trade mission has been a great opportunity to fortify our shared trust and continue to grow Utah’s exports.”
Gov. Herbert delivered remarks at a foreign direct investment seminar hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong. Attendees included local commerce and investment representatives along with business leaders from a wide variety of industries.
Following the seminar, Gov. Herbert engaged in a private meeting and discussion with Victor Fung, Honorary Chairman of Li & Fung. Li & Fung is a global supply chain manager for a wide variety of both U.S. and European brands, department stores, ecommerce sites and other retail groups. The company employs more than 25,000 worldwide.
The governor concluded the day’s business meetings by hosting a VIP reception with top officials in business, government, investment and transportation.
“As a clear result of Utah’s first-class trade reputation in China, the trade delegation has had the great opportunity to meet with a number of company leaders who not only have incredible influence in Hong Kong and China, but also internationally,” said Val Hale, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
Gov. Herbert was also warmly welcomed to a meeting hosted by C.H. Tung, Chairman of the China-United States Exchange Foundation, and facilitated dialogues with the business community. Mr. C.H. Tung was the first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and served from 1997 to 2005. He is the eldest son of C.Y. Tung, founder of Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), and prior to his full-time public service career, he led OOCL into global success. Today, the shipping company is under the leadership of his brother, C.C. Tung, chairman of Orient Overseas (International) Limited, the parent company of OOCL, who was among the participants in the dialogues with Gov. Herbert. OOCL is credited as a key player in transforming global trade and has a long history of commitment to serving the American business community for over four decades.
OOCL recently located its U.S. regional headquarters in Utah and is prepared for growth. Earlier this year, GOED’s Val Hale traveled to Shanghai and was honored to participate in the christening of one of the company’s newest containerships, the approximately 100,000-ton OOCL Utah.
“OOCL is very appreciative of all the support and welcome that we have been receiving from the business community since the establishment of our Integrated Management Service Center in Utah,” said C. C. Tung, chairman of Orient Overseas (International) Limited, the parent company of OOCL. “We look forward to further strengthen our stakeholder relationships and build strong partnerships in providing a vital link to world trade.”
Gov. Herbert’s substantial meeting schedule is typical of most Utah trade missions, but especially representative of the Beehive State’s ongoing rapport with Hong Kong and greater China. Gov. Herbert and the trade mission delegation made important connections and spread the message that Utah is more than worthy of global business.
The Zions Bank Utah Trade Mission to Hong Kong and greater China is supported by World Trade Center Utah, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, U.S. Commercial Service and Sundance Institute.