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The Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, made the following statement today (July 16) upon his resignation from the office of Financial Secretary with immediate effect.

"I believe my departure now may be good timing, as firstly the Appropriation Bill and the major revenue proposals in the Budget have been passed by the Legislative Council; secondly, SARS has been contained and the economic relaunch measures are under implementation, with the recovery in the most affected industries stronger than could have been anticipated; and thirdly, the entry into Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with the Mainland has been successfully achieved.

"I am glad that I have had the opportunity to serve the people of Hong Kong, which I have carried out in all respects with a clear conscience at all times. It has been my honour and privilege to have been a Principal Official in the Chief Executive's Administration. I wish him every success in the governance of Hong Kong and the restructuring of the economy."

End/Wednesday, July 16, 2003

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