The annual Gala Dinner of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao was held in Hong Kong, gathering over 400 distinguished guests. The event once again reaffirmed its role as a prominent occasion for networking and as a key platform to promote and celebrate the excellence of Made in Italy in the two Special Administrative Regions.
In his address, the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Honourable Mr. Paul Chan, underlined that Made in Italy is recognized universally as a symbol of prestige and quality. He observed that Italian creations and brands—from haute couture to luxury automobiles and fine food and wine—are an integral part of the city’s landscape and continue to enjoy profound admiration among local residents. Mr. Paul Chan also announced that he will lead the Hong Kong delegation to the forthcoming edition of Think Business, Think Hong Kong, the city’s flagship initiative for the promotion of economic, trade and financial relations abroad, to be held in Milan on 27 November.
In his remarks, the Ambassador of Italy to the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti, emphasized the strength and resilience of bilateral economic and trade relations, and acknowledged the valuable contribution made by the Italian business community in Hong Kong. As a gesture of recognition of this close and long-standing partnership, Ambassador Ambrosetti conferred the honour of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia upon Ms. Sandra Wong, entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Kitchen Infinity, the exclusive partner of the Italian design brand Molteni & C.
The evening was further enriched by a performance from Italian pianist Filippo Gorini, one of the most acclaimed young musicians on the international stage. His concert in Hong Kong formed part of “Sonata for 7 Cities”, a cultural project conceived by the artist including a series of artistic residencies in seven cities around the world.
As in previous years, the Gala Dinner also maintained its strong social commitment. Through a charity raffle and auction, funds were raised in support of Inspiring Girls Hong Kong, an organization that assists young women aged 14 to 18 in overcoming gender barriers, in collaboration with the Italian Women’s Association (IWA).
