It has been my honor and privilege to recently spend some time in Hong Kong while attending the WTO conference. Let me start by saying how impressed I was by this beautiful city and by the warm welcome that was given to us.

I, and my delegation, particularly enjoyed the discussions that we had with Prof. Cao, permanent secretary of your association. Thus we were able to deepen our first contacts already held in Vienna a few weeks before. We are very much looking forward to working with the Asia-Pacific Retailers organization on matters of mutual interest. Indeed, merchants and traders have always been on the forefront of international understanding, much better and faster than politicians!

I certainly hope that I’ll be able to reciprocate the hospitality and show my Asia Pacific friends the beautiful city of Vienna.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Sincerely yours,

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Dr. Bernert
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