Our Annual Dinner was held on 14 January 2010 at a cosy Chinese restaurant in Brussels. The members enjoyed the delicious Chinese cuisine, catched up with other BHKS members and emptied a few bottles of wine and drinks in a relaxed and casual setting.

On 19 February we farewelled the ox and welcomed the Tiger at the Concert Noble.  Similar to previous years, the BHKS co-organised a large-scale reception with HKETO and TDC in Brussels to celebrate the Chinese New Year. 

Apart from the authentic Chinese foods and the luxurious prizes of the lucky draw, the guests have been impressed by the amazing cultural performance.

Hong Kong has ranked as the world’s freest economy in the Wall Street Journal and Heritage Foundation’s prestigious Index of Economic Freedom for 15 consecutive years and remains an ideal location for companies wishing to enter the Asian market, particularly China. Hong Kong’s state-of-the-art facilities, level-playing field, sound economic and financial systems, rule of law and the mix of East and West have already attracted many overseas companies, including several hundreds of Belgian enterprises. Many of them use Hong Kong as their base for doing business in Mainland China. Moreover, for Belgian companies, there is an extra attraction. Back in 2003, Hong Kong and Belgium signed an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. This agreement means that Belgian companies doing business in Hong Kong are not taxed twice and, as a result, enjoy tax savings.

To learn more on the advantages Hong Kong can offer to Belgian companies, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and AWEX are organising the seminar “Hong Kong, Your Gateway to Success!” at Cercle de Wallonie (www.cercledewallonie.be). The seminar will be followed by a luncheon. Both events are free of charge.

Programme –

10:30    Registration of Participants      

11:00    Welcome by Mr Philippe Suinen, CEO, AWEX (Wallonia Foreign Trade & Investment Agency)

11:05    Opening remarks by Ms Mary Chow, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union

11:10    Business and Investment opportunities in Asia-Pacific via the Hong Kong platform

            - by Mr Siegfried Verstappen, Senior Investment Promotion Executive, Invest Hong Kong

11:25    Succeeding in China: How Hong Kong and HKTDC can help?

- by Mr Martin Evans, Regional Manager (Europe) Corporate Communication, HKTDC

11:40    Briefing on the Avoidance of Double-Taxation Arrangements between Hong Kong and Belgium

            - by Mr Kurt De Haen, VMB Accountants & Belastingconsulenten

11:55    Testimony of a Belgian investor in Hong Kong – by Mr Jean-Pierre Lutgen, CEO, Ice Watch

12:10    Testimony of a Belgian investor in Hong Kong – by Mr Benoit Dewonck, Sales Director, IP Trade

12:25    Q&A

12:40    Conclusion by Mr Michel Kempeneers,

Asia/Pacific Business Development Manager Export & Investment (AWEX)

12:45    Cocktail sponsored by AWEX

13:15    Luncheon hosted by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels

The Hong Kong Film Panorama is an annual event organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. This year’s selection is a mix of recent films from 2009 and a retrospective of some of Hong Kong’s best action films. The festival will run from 6 – 26 September.  Programme details can be found at www.hongkong-eu.org and www.cinemazuid.be.

The opening reception of the event took place on 6 September. 

The thriller Overheard “竊聽風雲” directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong, who were also the writers behind the Infernal Affairs trilogy, officially opened the Hong Kong Film Panorama. The screening has been preceded by a Chinese buffet reception. 

On 11 September the BHKS co-organised a special screening on a cartoon movie called 'McDull Kingfu Kindergarten' with Cinema Zuid and Sica.

The BHKS co-organised a special screening on a cartoon movie called "McDull Kungfu Kindergarten"  with Cinema Zuid and SICA.

Film website:http://www.mcdull.hk/movie/eng/index.html. 

The 11th Hong Kong Forum took place on December 1st and 2nd, 2010.  

The Hong Kong Forum is the annual flagship event of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide (Federation), which has grown to include 33 Hong Kong Business Asociations in 24 countries with more than 10,000 members across Asia,Australasia, Europe and North America.  The Hong Kong Forum is the occasion for individual associates from around the world to meet, network and gather updates on the latest trends and opportunities available in Hong Kong.