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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) had selected Hong Kong to host its next ITU TELECOM WORLD event in December, 2006, the Financial Secretary, Mr Henry Tang, announced today (June 3).

Welcoming ITU's decision, Mr Tang said, "This is the first time that ITU TELECOM WORLD will be held outside Geneva since its inception in 1971. It is a vote of confidence in the ability of Hong Kong's exhibition, hotel, tourism and telecommunications industries to make this event a great success.

"It is also a befitting recognition of Hong Kong's unique role as a gateway to the huge Mainland telecommunications market which is the largest in the world."

The ITU TELECOM WORLD brings together the world's leading telecommunications industry players and experts from both the public and private sectors, and attracts the attendance of heads of states, ministers, regulators and CEOs of multinational corporations.

The Financial Secretary said, "We estimate the event may attract some 100,000 overseas visitors, generating about $1.2 billion of direct economic benefit for Hong Kong. In particular, the local hospitality and tourism industries will reap substantial benefit from the event being staged in the territory."

"With the full support of the Central People's Government, we are confident that this mega-event will prove to be a phenomenal success for all. In hosting this international conference, we are determined to scale new heights together with the ITU, exhibitors and participants," said Mr Tang.

The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang, who is attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Ministerial Meeting in Chile, was delighted to learn that the prestigious event would be held in Hong Kong.

"ITU TELECOM WORLD provides an ideal platform for participants to share the latest advancements in technology, developments of business models, insights into business and market opportunities as well as to form partnerships in business ventures.

"We will work closely with the ITU to promote the event in the Mainland and overseas. We will also liaise with the telecommunications industry players in Hong Kong and the Mainland to secure their active participation and generate substantial benefits for them," Mr Tsang said.

The ITU is the largest and most influential telecommunications organisation in the world. The ITU TELECOM WORLD is the most prominent global telecommunications event held every three to four years. Hong Kong previously hosted two ITU regional events - ITU TELECOM ASIA 2000 and ITU TELECOM ASIA 2002.

The event comprises two parts - the Exhibition and the Forum. The exhibition enables industry players to showcase their latest equipment, services or technologies, while the Forum provides a platform for the participants to debate on critical issues in policies and regulation, key technologies, business applications and environment.

The event will be staged in the AsiaWorld-Expo, currently being constructed adjacent to the Hong Kong International Airport.

Ends/Thursday, June 3, 2004

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( Floor / Cantonese / Putonghua / English )