It is an honour and a pleasure to be the first Chairman of the Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council. The idea of the Council goes back to an official meeting between Former Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra and the Former Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, Mr. Tung Chee-hwa in Hong Kong in May 2001, during which the theme of the two economies forming a partnership of "two gateways" was highlighted. Although the two economies enjoyed close business ties, there was still no private sector-led organization in Hong Kong representing and promoting the interests of the Thai and Hong Kong business communities. It seemed that the time was right to establish such a body, to bring Hong Kong and Thai business people and companies in Hong Kong closer together.
In launching the Council, we have received invaluable encouragement from the most senior levels in the Thailand and Hong Kong SAR governments, and we received generous support from prominent members of the Hong Kong business community, who agreed to act as advisors. All of us concerned with establishing the Council have been overwhelmed by the reception we have received from individuals and companies we have invited to become members. The best way we can thank everyone for their assistance is to ensure that we build up an organization that makes a practical and effective contribution to the development of business ties between the two economies.