The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, visited Southern District this afternoon (November 15).  Apart from meeting the members of the Southern District Council (SDC), he also visited shops and met with secondary students and the elderly in the district.

     Accompanied by District Officer (Southern), Mrs Dorothy Ma, and the Chairman of the SDC, Mr Chu Ching-hong, Mr Chan visited shops and a restaurant in Stanley Market to learn more about the business environment, as well as the latest situation of the tourism industry in the area.

     Mr Chan said that the tourism industry, which makes up 5 per cent of GDP and employs about 270 000 people, has been driving the growth of other related industries including retail, hotel and catering industries, and contributing significantly to Hong Kong's economy.  The Government is focused on attracting more high-yield overnight visitors to support the sustained development of the tourism industry.

     "At a high-level co-ordinating meeting in October, I have directed bureaux and departments to drive the implementation of various tourism-related measures through closer co-operation and co-ordination" he added.

     Later, he visited Pui Tak Canossian College to meet with students and the elderly attending the Elder Academy activities held in the school.

     Mr Chan said he was pleased to learn that the elderly could acquire new skills or knowledge through the Academy, which also provided more chances for students to interact with them and promoted intergenerational harmony.

     The Elder Academy is a primary and secondary school-based elderly learning scheme launched by the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Elderly Commission in early 2007. It aims at promoting life-long learning, maintaining healthy physical and mental well-being of the elderly, fostering a sense of worthiness among the elderly and promoting cross-sectorial harmony.

     While visiting the school campus, he also watched a music performance by students and gave an interview to the school campus TV channel.

     Before the visit concluded, Mr Chan met with members of the SDC to listen to their views and have in-depth exchanges on matters that are of concern to the district.

Ends/Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:37

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