Secretary for Commerce & Economic Services Frederick Ma arrived in Russia today to kick off the Hong Kong Week promotional programmes in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Mr Ma, leading a business delegation organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, visited the Expocentr - a Russian operator and organizer of international trade shows and congresses and one of the leaders of exhibition industry in Eastern Europe.

Hectic schedule: Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma begins his promotional trip in Russia. He pays a courtesy call to the Chinese Ambassador in Russia Liu Guchang and officiates at the opening of "Style Hong Kong in Moscow" Exposition.

He also attended a dinner with the Russian tour operators organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.  He introduced the attractions and experiences Hong Kong offers as the tourists' choice destination and encouraged them to work with the board to develop tour programmes that suit the Russian market.

He also introduced the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's first ever concert in Russia to the audience at the International House of Music.

Earlier in the day he paid a courtesy call on China's Ambassador in Russia Liu Guchang.

Mr Ma will officiate at the opening of the "Style Hong Kong in Moscow" Exposition & Extravaganza gala dinner.

Mr Ma will also have a networking luncheon with local business leaders and witness the signing ceremony of a co-operation agreement between the Russian-Chinese Business Council and the HKTDC.