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The Commission on Strategic Development, chaired by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, will discuss "Leveraging on the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta and the National 12th Five-Year Plan to Enhance the Economic Strength of Hong Kong" at its meeting next Thursday (June 18).
The commission's secretariat today (June 12) issued a paper on the subject for members' consideration.
The paper says that the recently promulgated Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta and the preparation of National 12th Five-Year Plan can provide a major opportunity for Hong Kong to further develop the six economic areas identified in April by the Task Force on Economic Challenges (TFEC). The six economic areas are: testing and certification, innovation and technology, educational services, medical services, cultural and creative industries, and environmental industry.
The paper examines the opportunities offered by the outline for the six economic areas, major constraints in developing the Mainland market, and strategic directions that Hong Kong may consider. Hong Kong should make the best use of the implementation of the outline to facilitate development of the six economic areas in the PRD and the wider Mainland market.
From a macro perspective, the paper pointed out that development of the six economic areas would also be consistent with the long-term development goals of the Mainland. It supported the SAR Government to actively contribute to the preparation of the National 12th Five-Year Plan by putting forward proposals to the Central Authorities for consideration. Joint efforts with Guangdong to put forward proposals to be included in the National 12th Five-Year Plan should also be considered.
The paper raises three strategic considerations relating to the further development of the six economic areas. First, the proactive role of the SAR Government in facilitating access to the PRD market, co-ordinating and rationalising the relationship between the public and private sectors' services in some of the economic areas, and creating a favourable market environment. Second, the urgency to establish co-operation with Guangdong in the six economic areas. Third, the implications for regional co-operation and broadening Hong Kong's industrial base.
It invites members to advise on a number of key issues, including ways of facilitating access to the Mainland market for the six economic areas; concrete proposals for expediting co-operation with the PRD region; policies, measures and actions the Government and the private sector could take to jointly develop the six economic areas and enhance the economic strength of Hong Kong in the medium and long term.
"Given the current economic climate, it is all the more important for the Government and the community as a whole to turn crisis into new business opportunities and enhance our competitiveness," a government spokesman said. "In most of the six economic areas identified by the TFEC, the greatest opportunities come from the Mainland and in particular the PRD market. It is timely for the commission to discuss how we can leverage on the major plans, policies and development on the Mainland, particularly in the PRD region, to facilitate their development. In particular, closer economic co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong will bring a win-win situation for all in the region. We look forward to members' contribution on the subject and advice on enhancing Hong Kong's economic strength in the long run."
The CSD discussion paper is available for downloading at: www.cpu.gov.hk/english/2009_csd_7th_meeting.htm
Ends/Friday, June 12, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:30
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