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The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Frederick Ma, today (July 18, Zurich time) concluded his week-long visit to Europe which forms part of the economic relaunch programme to promote the post-SARS Hong Kong.
During his promotional trip to London, Frankfurt and Zurich, Mr Ma met a wide cross section of the European community, including prominent figures of the financial and business sectors. He updated them on the latest developments in Hong Kong on various fronts, highlighting the fact that Hong Kong is now back to normal after the SARS outbreak, and invited them to visit the territory.
Mr Ma was pleased to note that the people whom he met during the trip are optimistic about Hong Kong's outlook and are positive regarding investment in Hong Kong.
In Zurich - the last leg of his visit, Mr Ma met with members of the Swiss Bankers Association, fund managers, and representatives from the insurance sector. He also called on the Swiss National Bank which conducts Switzerland's monetary policy as an independent central bank.
The visit programme in Zurich also included meetings with the Director for Finance, Dr Christian Huber and the Director for Economic Affairs, Dr Ruedi Jeker of the Canton of Zurich, and the Swiss Business Federation.
Addressing some 100 guests at a reception hosted by the Swiss Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ma outlined Hong Kong's fundamental strengths and efforts in maintaining its status as an international financial centre and the premier capital formation centre of the Mainland, the enhanced attractiveness to foreign investors following the signing of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangements, and the efforts and achievements in the financial services sector including the encouraging development of the Hong Kong bond market. He also talked about the measures and activities under the economic relaunch programme to help revitalize Hong Kong's economy and restore business activities to pre-SARS levels.
End/Friday, July 18, 2003
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