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The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG), Mr. Henry Tang, today (September 9, Canada time) concluded the last leg of his four-day programme and described his first visit to Canada as a Principal Official of HKSARG "very useful and constructive in fostering closer co-operation between Hong Kong and Canada on the IT and communication fronts".

This morning, Mr. Tang met Canada's Minister of Industry, the Hon. Allan Rock in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for a bilateral exchange on issues of mutual interests to Canada and Hong Kong with particular focus on closer co-operation between the two places.

In the last two days, the Secretary led a Hong Kong IT delegation comprising representatives from the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Government, to attend the Softworld 2002 Conference where he delivered a speech entitled "Hong Kong - Connecting the World" to update conference participants of Hong Kong's IT developments and opportunities.

The participation of the Hong Kong delegation in the Softworld 2002 Conference in Charlottetown also resulted in the sealing of a partnership between the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) and the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation (HKITF) to promote trade and business in IT between Canada and Hong Kong.

The partnership also sets forth the objectives for the two organizations to exchange information, materials and mutual assistance, and organize seminars and conferences to promote this initiative.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed this morning and witnessed by Ms Claire LePage, Regional Executive Director, Atlantic Provinces, Industry Canada and Mr. Alan Siu, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology of the HKSARG.

Mr. Tang also attended the signing ceremony to pledge his strong support.

He returned to Toronto this afternoon and will leave for Hong Kong this evening.

End/Tuesday, September 10, 2002

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