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The Steering Committee comprising representatives from the Government, the convention and exhibition, tourism and hotel industries and training institutions today (October 12) held its first meeting to discuss ways to strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) industries.
Chairman of the Steering Committee, the Financial Secretary Mr John C Tsang, stressed at the meeting that the Government was committed to developing Hong Kong into a capital of international conventions, exhibitions and tourism.
Mr Tsang said he had a useful dialogue with members from the industries at the meeting, and all parties agreed to strengthen co-operation and actively follow up works in four areas. They are:
(1) promotion efforts;
(2) revitalising the Hong Kong brand;
(3) training of talent; and
(4) convention, exhibition and hotel facilities.
The Steering Committee will hold its second meeting in one month's time to follow up the proposed actions.
The Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address 2007-08 that the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development would lead a cross-sector steering committee comprising government and trade representatives to review and formulate development strategies for the industries. The membership and terms of reference of the Steering Committee are as follows:
Membership
Government
1. Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang
2. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Frederick Ma
3. Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism), Miss Yvonne Choi
4. Commissioner for Tourism, Miss Au King Chi
Trade
1. Chairman of Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr John C.C. Chan
2. Chair Professor and Director of School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Prof Kaye Chon
3. Chairman of Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association, Mr Stanley Chu
4. Chairman of Airport Authority, Dr Victor Fung
5. Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited, Mr Allen Ha
6. Chairman of Travel Industry Council, Mr Ronnie Ho
7. Committee Chairman of Travel/Tourism Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Mr Michael Hobson
8. Professor of Marketing and Director of School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof Lee Kam-hon
9. Chairman of Vocational Training Council, Mr Andrew Leung
10. Chairman of The Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, Dr Lui Che-woo
11. Chairman of AsiaWorld-Expo/Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Mike Rowse
12. Chairman of Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Jack So
13. Chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr James Tien
14. Managing Director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Mr Cliff Wallace
15. Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Limited, Dr Allan Zeman
Terms of Reference
To optimise the impact of the Government's efforts in promoting Hong Kong as a MICE capital and the contribution of the MICE industries to Hong Kong's economic development, the Steering Committee will advise on –
? the formulation of appropriate policies;
? identification of priority areas; and
? effective co-ordination and synergy among the stakeholders.
Ends/Friday, October 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:55
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