Enhancing understanding of Hong Kong among opinion-formers Monitoring developments that might affect Hong Kong's economic and trading interests Liaising closely with the business and commercial sectors, politicians and the news media. Organise events to promote Hong Kong's image Regularly meeting with counterparts and contacts in the territories under their purview Organizes overseas visits of senior Hong Kong officials HKETO London serves concurrently as Hong Kong's permanent mission to the International Maritime Organization, HKETO Brussels to the European Union, and HKETO Geneva to the World Trade Organization. In countries or territories where no HKETO is present, diplomatic missions of China have the duty to represent Hong Kong's interests. Visa applications at these missions are, nevertheless, sent to and processed by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. Organisation Overseas HKETOs are placed under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Government. Offices of the Government of the Hong Kong in Beijing and other parts of Mainland China are placed under the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The head of the HKETOs are usually called Director. Privileges and immunities The privileges and immunities granted to the HKETOs are the result of negotiations with the host governments and these vary from one office to another. In some cases, the host governments (such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany) have granted certain privileges and immunities to the HKETOs through dedicated domestic legislation. At present, all eleven overseas HKETOs have been granted certain privileges and immunities by respective host governments to facilitate the HKETOs to discharge their duties without intervention. Broadly speaking, the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the HKETOs mainly include the inviolability of premises, official correspondence, archives and documents as well as the exemption of premises and representatives from taxation. HKETO Berlin (Germany) is the only regional representative office that has a quasi-diplomatic status. Locations The HKETOs outside the Mainland China Region, particularly those in Europe and Asia, have responsibilities for several countries. Those in the mainland similarly have responsibilities across several provinces. Bangkok – Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Bangkok Responsible for Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Berlin – Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin Responsible for Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland. Brussels – Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels Responsible for the European Union and covering also the relations with Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Ireland,