Hong Kong, March 22 (CNA) Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu has secured orders worth billions of Taiwan dollars in agricultural and seafood produce in Hong Kong, the first leg of a seven-day tour that began Friday.
According to the Kaohsiung City government, a total of NT$2.47 billion (US$80.08 million)-worth of trade deals involving Kaohsiung products were signed that day, consisting of eight separate deals, each lasting between one and four years.
They were signed between Kaohsiung's agricultural and fisheries associations and several private business entities based in Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Beijing.
The mayor, a member of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), is visiting Hong Kong, Macau and the Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Xiamen to promote trade before returning to Kaohsiung March 28.
Leading a 28-member delegation, Han also met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, during which they discussed opportunities for promoting economic ties between the two sides.
While addressing the event held by the Hong Kong Chinese Importers and Exporters Association at which the trade deals were signed, Han said Lam told him that 25 percent of farm and fisheries products in Hong Kong came from Japan, with only 3.6 percent imported from Taiwan last year.
He said he was shocked by the figure, and that he hopes to raise Taiwan's share to 10 or 12 percent.
Agricultural products and seafood from Taiwan are obviously not promoted enough in Hong Kong, the mayor said.
