*****************************
The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, will lead a business delegation to visit Nanning and Hanoi from December 10 to 17 to enhance Hong Kong¡¦s understanding of the economic situation and business environment of the two places.
The first leg of the visit will be Nanning in Guangxi, where Mr Tsang will meet senior officials of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and attend activities to celebrate the region's 50th anniversary on December 11.
He will call on the Nanning Municipal Government and address the Hong Kong ¡V Guangxi Economic Co-operation Roundtable on December 12.
During his stay in Nanning, the Financial Secretary will also visit major enterprises and tour the city to gain an overview of its infrastructure as well as its commercial and industrial development.
On December 13, Mr Tsang will depart for Hanoi in Vietnam, visiting the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Logistics Park at the Chinese border before going through the Friendship Gate.
In Hanoi, Mr Tsang will meet officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Minister of Planning and Investment, and members of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
On December 16, Mr Tsang will deliver a keynote address at a business seminar entitled ¡§Hong Kong ¡V Your Regional Partner for Success¡¨. In the evening, he will attend a Dragonair reception to mark the resumption of direct flights between Hong Kong and Hanoi.
Through visits and exchanges with senior government officials, enterprises, financial institutions and trade organisations in both places, it is expected that delegates will be able to gain first-hand knowledge of potential business opportunities, particularly in financial services, professional services and logistics.
During Mr Tsang's absence, the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, will be Acting Financial Secretary.
Ends/Monday, December 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:39
NNNN
