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Hong Kong is recovering from the SARS outbreak and looking ahead, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Communities, Chris Jackson said today.
Addressing an audience of Belgian businessmen at a Belgium-Hong Kong Society luncheon in Brussels, Mr Jackson was replying to introductory remarks by the Society's Chairman, Mr Piet Steel, who congratulated Hong Kong for successfully containing SARS.
Mr Jackson said that 78% of patients had now been discharged from hospital. Hong Kong will of course remain vigilant. The prevention measures, such as screening at border points, will remain in place to protect public health.
Mr Jackson said that the US State Department had just lifted its travel warning for Hong Kong. "After the earlier decisions of the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the World Health Organisation to cancel their travel warnings, this is further recognition of Hong Kong's successful efforts to contain the spread of SARS. It is also a strong assurance for European business people and tourists that Hong Kong is a safe place to visit".
Asked about the long-term impact of SARS, Mr Jackson admitted that the outbreak had dealt a blow to Hong Kong's economic recovery. However he believed it would be temporary. He said that Hong Kong had proven time and again that it can bounce back from adversity, and he was confident it would do so again.
Mr Jackson said that the rapid growth of the Pearl River Delta continues to benefit Hong Kong's trade and businesses. Discussions on a Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between Hong Kong and the Mainland were in their final stages.
The CEPA would cover three areas: reducing and removing tariffs and other restrictive trade measures, further liberalisation of the services market, as well as trade and investment facilitation.
Through CEPA, the Hong Kong Government aimed to seek better market access for Hong Kong's products and services in the Mainland of China. The signing of this agreement, will open up many new and exciting opportunities for Hong Kong both in the service sector and the manufacturing sector, Mr Jackson said.
Mr Jackson also repeated that there is zero risk of contracting SARS from coming into contact with cargoes shipped out of Hong Kong.
End/Wednesday, June 11, 2003
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