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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, at Homecoming Ceremony for SuperStar Leo today (July 31) (English only):

Mr Ng, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome SuperStar Leo back to Hong Kong. Her homecoming today truly is a testimony that Hong Kong is over SARS and, to use a nautical term, everything is "full steam ahead"!

I am particularly delighted to have the opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to our visitors from Australia. Your arrival today is well-timed as we are organising a series of sporting, cultural and entertainment programmes in Hong Kong. I am sure you will be delighted to hear that tomorrow sees the start of the Hong Kong Super Draw, with prizes exceeding $15 million.

August will also see the start of a two-month shopping and dining festival. For those of you who are spending a few days here, you may be interested to get tickets to see the National Basketball Team from China with Yao Ming on August 6 or Real Madrid on August 8.

Today we are celebrating the homecoming of the SuperStar Leo which is the flagship of the Star Cruises operations in Hong Kong. Star Cruises has chosen Hong Kong as the home port for its cruise operations in this part of Asia for good reason. Not only does Hong Kong offer the full range of support facilities necessary to supply and operate such magnificent ships but also offers a remarkable experience for all our visitors.

The Government is committed to developing Hong Kong as the prominent cruise port in Asia. We are working to expand our facilities and planning a new cruise terminal in Southeast Kowloon.

For our visitors, I would like to welcome all of you to Hong Kong. I hope you will enjoy your stay here. This is the best time to do shopping and don't forget to try your luck in the Hong Kong Super Draw.

Thank you.

End/Thursday, July 31, 2003

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