More business opportunities for Hong Kong

Hong Kong's economic fundamentals have remained strong and resilient, despite the recent tough times. And more business opportunities are on the way, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, said in the US on Monday.
 
Addressing San Jose's business community, Mr Tsang said as an international financial centre, Hong Kong's key attributes were still the rule of law, a level playing field, a clean government and the free flow of information.
 
He said the government was committed to upholding all these values, which had attracted foreign investors.
 
"Despite its successes, Hong Kong is not sitting on its hands. We want room to grow further, which will mean additional business opportunities for companies," Mr Tsang said.
 
Hong Kong is well positioned to tap into the Mainland's vast markets.
 
"That is why we have concluded the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and have massive infrastructure programmes to increase our connectivity with the Pearl River Delta," he said.
 
"We have also relaxed our policy for the admission of talented and professional people from the Mainland to work in Hong Kong. That means high-technology companies will find no shortage of suitable personnel in Hong Kong."
 
Mr Tsang said all discussions during his visit to the United States had gone well and the audiences were especially interested in the additional business opportunities expected from CEPA.
 
"They also felt that this, coupled with the possibility that Hong Kong would be allowed to handle some renminbi transactions, will reinforce Hong Kong's position as the entry point to China," he said
 
Apart from meeting business groups in San Jose, the centre of Silicon Valley, Mr Tsang met San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, and addressed the Pacific Council on International Policy.
 
Later in the day, he officiated at the West Coast launch of the HK Tourism Board's Hong Kong - Live it. Love it! campaign.

End/Tuesday, September 23, 2003