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Following is the speech delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the 150th Anniversary Dinner of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (May 27):
Mr Wu, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
My warmest congratulations to the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce on its 150th Anniversary.
For a century and a half, the Chamber has wholeheartedly represented our business community and promoted its interests. Its members have remained true to the Chamber's founding objective, "To be the voice of business and to promote, represent and safeguard the interests of the Hong Kong business community".
Since its inception way back in 1861, the Chamber and its members have sailed through numerous ups and downs with Hong Kong. It is well worth remembering that there have been many more ups than downs. And throughout its long history, the Chamber has played a vital role in Hong Kongˇ¦s evolution into a vibrant international business and financial centre of today.
We are grateful for your support over the years for government policies seeking to nurture a prosperous society - not just policies conducive to a business-friendly environment, but also those that help foster a more stable and harmonious society.
After years of discussion, the statutory minimum wage came into force on May 1. This is a major achievement in our journey towards a more caring society. It would not have been possible without the support and understanding of the business community. It is also solid proof that our employers and employees can make compromises for the betterment of Hong Kong.
I also take this opportunity to thank the Chamber for its contributions to the debate over the Competition Bill.
Members of the Chamber made constructive and pragmatic suggestions from a professional point of view, helping us to focus on key issues of concern.
The need for such a law is affirmed by two rounds of public consultation. It has wide community support.
The Bill is now under the scrutiny of the Legislative Council. I am aware of the diverse views on certain aspects of the operation of the Bill. We will try our best to address them without undermining the objective of the legislation.
Despite these differences over details, I believe we share a common goal. That goal is to enact an effective competition law that further enhances our institutional strengths, in particular the level playing field that we all cherish.
I also encourage you all to seize the opportunities arising from the Central Government's 12th Five-Year Plan.
For the first time, this national development blueprint includes an entire chapter dedicated to Hong Kong and Macao. It highlights support for Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, and underscores our role in our nation's unique development.
It also illustrates how the Central government enables Hong Kong to decide, under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the Basic Law, our own development strategies, and then emphasizes such strategies in the national plan, giving them the highest legal status throughout the nation.
The SAR Government makes every effort to facilitate enterprises in opening up new trading and business opportunities in the Mainland. As well as the 12th Five-Year Plan we also have the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA. And just last year, we signed the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation. All this opens new doors for Hong Kong businesses to invest and trade in the Mainland.
We welcome every suggestion from the Chamber on ways to improve our competitiveness and prominence in the Mainland market.
Ladies and gentlemen, since the earliest days of our cityˇ¦s transformation, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce has been a leader in the development of trade and industry.
In today's complex and interwoven business environment, the Chamber's role naturally grows in importance. On our part the Government will continue to work with the Chamber and the business community at large for the betterment of Hong Kong.
I wish the Chamber a memorable 150th Anniversary and its more than 4,000 members continued success in Hong Kong.
Thank you very much.
Ends/Friday, May 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:00
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