Transcript of remarks by Acting SFST at media session
*****************************************************

     Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Ms Julia Leung, at a media session after the Legislative Council Financial Affairs Panel Meeting today (May 4):

Reporter: Is there any important factors you will consider in determining the interest of the bond?

Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury: Mainly it will be according to the market's interest rate.  We certainly have to take reference to how the Exchange Fund Government Note will be made and how the international interest rate goes.  So it is mainly based on market conditions.  It is not based on what kinds of returns we are expecting to get from the proceeds.

Reporter: Is this will lead to deferring of the Bond Programme?

Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury: We still hope that we can meet the schedule.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Monday, May 4, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:40

NNNN