Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau said on Monday the government would continue to take the initiative to expose young entrepreneurs to business opportunities in markets in Central Asia, Latin America and Africa, among other regions.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Yau said he would lead delegations of young entrepreneurs to explore new markets.

“In the future, I will personally lead teams to countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Hungary to explore new opportunities,” he said.

“We also plan to visit Latin America, but as the region is currently in a turbulent state, we will monitor the situation.

“After that, our focus will turn to Africa. In March, I will attend a World Trade Organisation conference in Cameroon. We will also explore opportunities there.”

Yau also said in a meeting last year with the Angolan ambassador to China, the envoy expressed hopes for deeper economic ties with Hong Kong.

The commerce chief stressed that young entrepreneurs should gain first-hand experience in understanding foreign markets.

“There’s one thing I truly believe: seeing is believing. We hope to give young entrepreneurs the chance to visit these countries with a government delegation, so they can better understand the realities on the ground,” he said.

Yau also called the recent opening of the SAR’s Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur as another milestone in strengthening the city’s economic and trade links with Asean countries.

He added that the new office would help Hong Kong build closer ties with South Asian economies outside the Asean bloc.