************************************************

The following is a statement issued today (October 10) by the Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse who is also the Secretary of the Economic Relaunch Working Group and Strategy Group.

The organisers of the Hong Kong Harbour Fest informed the management of the Rolling Stones today that they would reluctantly have to cancel plans to bring the group to Hong Kong as the closing act for the Festival.

Although the parties had agreed on contract terms (including fees) and other arrangements and we were ready to go ahead, the signing had been delayed. This was due to difficulties related to scheduling proposed concerts in mainland China that were to take place immediately after the Rolling Stones' performances in Hong Kong.

The organisers required final confirmation a minimum of four weeks in advance of the performances in order to allow time for marketing and related purposes to help ensure the concerts' success. When this deadline could not be met, the organisers decided not to proceed.

While all of us are naturally disappointed, we hope the Rolling Stones will be able to perform in Hong Kong at some time in the future.

As we have said several times, the Harbour Fest never was "mainly a Rolling Stones concert". It is much more. The Harbour Fest will comprise nearly a month of world-class entertainment from Asia and globally, including Santana, Jose Carreras, Charlotte Church, Prince, Air Supply, Danny Diaz, Gigi Leung, the Twins, Yumiko, Boy'z, Ronald Cheng, Eason Chan, Westlife, Neil Young, Michelle Branch, the Philippines' Gary Valenciano, the Gipsy Kings, Craig David -- and a Family Day featuring Australia's the Wiggles, Hong Kong acts and international cartoon characters.

Seeing tens of thousands of people enjoying themselves in front of our remarkable harbour will get people talking about Hong Kong in the region and the world as a leading entertainment centre. Harbour Fest 2003 will demonstrate that Hong Kong is a place where top regional and international artists will want to come and perform.

We are working hard to ensure that the Festival will be successful. The Harbour Fest and other relaunch activities can help bring more business and visitors back, thus creating more jobs and opportunities for the people of Hong Kong.

The tireless efforts of the organisers and other supporters of Harbour Fest deserve to be rewarded with success.

End/Friday, October 10, 2003

NNNN