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Government today (Friday) welcomed the decision of the Legislative Council Finance Committee to approve the Government funding application for the purpose of the construction and operation of the Hong Kong Disneyland.

Government also welcomed the Walt Disney Company Board of Directors' decision to approve the Hong Kong Disneyland deal. The approval was confirmed by Mr Michael D Eisner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company today.

"This is certainly an important milestone in the development of tourism in Hong Kong," said Mr Mike Rowse, Commissioner for Tourism.

He said that the green light given today by the LegCo to the Disneyland project would mean bringing Hong Kong thousands of new jobs and tens of thousands of additional tourists in the years to come.

"With the necessary approvals in place, we plan to sign the final agreement with Disney in December," Mr Rowse said.

"There are still a lot of work to be done if the park is to be opened by 2005," added Mr Rowse. "Now we can get on with it."

End/Friday, November 26,1999

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