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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (October 22) attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers' Meeting (FMM) in Beijing.
The APEC Finance Ministers' Process provides an annual forum for APEC member economies to exchange views and information on regional macroeconomic and financial developments.
There were five sessions today to discuss various topics, including the current economic situation and outlook in the region, co-operation on infrastructure investment and financing, fiscal and taxation policies and reform for economic restructuring, and improving financial services for the regional real economy.
Sharing his views on infrastructure investment at the meeting, Mr Tsang supported enhancing co-operation in the region to address infrastructure funding gaps and promote sustainable growth in the future.
"Hong Kong looks forward to playing an active role in these regional co-operation efforts," he said.
Mr Tsang also shared the experience of Hong Kong in devising fiscal and taxation policies in facilitating economic restructuring.
"We share the APEC goals to enhance fiscal soundness for a well-managed fiscal system as we leverage fiscal and taxation tools to advance the economy," he added.
Mr Tsang also attended a working lunch with the APEC Business Advisory Council.
On the margins of the APEC FMM, Mr Tsang met his counterparts from Australia and the United States.
During a short conversation with the Treasurer of Australia, Mr Joe Hockey, Mr Tsang agreed to continue to strengthen collaboration on various fronts, in particular Renminbi business.
Mr Tsang also had a meeting with the Deputy Secretary of the US Department of the Treasury, Ms Sarah Bloom Raskin. Both sides voiced the wish to consolidate the bilateral relationship and co-operation.
With the APEC FMM concluded, Mr Tsang will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (October 23).
Ends/Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:39
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