MANILA, Nov. 12 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China's Hong Kong strengthened their trade and economic relations on Sunday with the signing of a free trade agreement and a related document to help facilitate trade and investment.
The agreements aim to provide ASEAN and Hong Kong with better access to each other's markets, create new business opportunities, and further enhance trade and investment flows between the two sides.
"They will also help reduce the restrictions in doing business and expand business opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises," Edward Yau, secretary for commerce and economic development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, said.
ASEAN is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner in merchandise trade and the fourth largest in services trade.
Yau pointed out that all ASEAN member states are also economies along the Belt and Road and the agreements will extend Hong Kong's trade and investment network to cover all major economies in Southeast Asia.
"The closer ties forged will enhance Hong Kong's role as a trading and investment hub and cater for our strategy to tap the business opportunities offered by the Belt and Road Initiative," Yau said.
Ramon Lopez, secretary of trade and industry of the Philippines, said the signing of the agreements will expand external economic relations to foster greater trade opportunities for the ASEAN Economic Community.
Lopez also said that the agreements would provide job opportunities for people and enhance collaboration among businesses, particularly micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.
Hong Kong and ASEAN commenced the negotiations on the free trade and investment agreements in July 2017. Both sides announced the conclusion of the negotiations in September 2017.
The agreements are expected to come into force on Jan. 1, 2019 at the earliest, subject to completion of necessary procedures by Hong Kong and ASEAN members.