Ninth Hong Kong Macao Co-operation High Level Meeting (with photos)

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     The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Lionel Leong, co-chaired the Ninth Hong Kong Macao Co-operation High Level Meeting in Macau today (July 15). The two sides reviewed the progress of co-operation work and achievements made in the past year, as well as discussed and decided on the directions of co-operation for the coming year.

Mr Tsang said, "The Outline of the National 13th Five-Year Plan was promulgated in March this year. Again, a chapter is dedicated to Hong Kong and Macau, which signifies the Central Authorities' strong support for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau, and once again acknowledges the significant role of Hong Kong and Macau in the country’s economic development and opening up to other countries. I am pleased that Hong Kong and Macau have agreed to set up a Working Group on Enhancing Hong Kong/Macao Economic Co-operation under the existing mechanism to explore and capture the new opportunities brought about by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (HK-Macao CEPA), as well as to enhance co-operation in areas such as trade, professional services, tourism and promotion of inward investment."

     On the economy and trade fronts, Mr Tsang, Mr Leong, and relevant officials from the two SARs witnessed the initialling of the draft main text of the HK-Macao CEPA. The Arrangement, which covers, amongst others, trade in goods, trade in services and investment between the two places, would ensure free and open trade between Hong Kong and Macau and further enhance economic co-operation and development of the two places. In the coming months, the Trade and Industry Department of Hong Kong and the Macao Economic Services would continue to work out the details of the HK-Macao CEPA in accordance with the framework laid out in the main text striving for the formal signing of the HK-Macao CEPA within this year.

     On cross-boundary infrastructure, construction of the HZMB is progressing steadily. In the coming year, both sides will continue to press ahead with the construction works in a timely manner and continue the negotiations in relation to the cross-boundary transport arrangements upon the opening of the Bridge to facilitate the flow of passengers, vehicles and goods between Hong Kong and Macau, giving full play to the HZMB’s functions of promoting regional economic development and facilitating exchange.

     On youth co-operation, both sides had in-depth exchanges on how to promote youth development and entrepreneurship in both places. The $300 million Youth Development Fund set up by the Hong Kong SAR Government would provide funding to Hong Kong young people to set up business in places including the areas outside Hong Kong like Macau and the Mainland. Co-ordinators of both sides would strengthen communication and co-operation in identifying ways to effectively support business start-ups of young people.

     Hong Kong SAR Government officials attending the Meeting included the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam; the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Ms Chang King-yiu; the Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Ivy Law; the Highway Department’s Project Manager of the HZMB, Mr Albert Lee; the Deputy Director-General of Trade and Industry, Miss Winky So; and representatives from respective bureaux and departments.

Ends/Friday, July 15, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:30

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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang (sixth left), and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Mr Lionel Leong (sixth right), co-chair the Ninth Hong Kong Macao Co-operation High Level Meeting in Macau today (July 15).

The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang (left), shakes hands with the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Mr Lionel Leong (right), before the Ninth Hong Kong Macao Co-operation High Level Meeting in Macau today (July 15).

The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang (centre), addresses the Ninth Hong Kong Macao Co-operation High Level Meeting in Macau today (July 15).

Back row, from left: the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Ms Chang King-yiu; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam; the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang; the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Lionel Leong; the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macau SAR, Ms Lok Kit-sim; and the Assessor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin-hung, witness the initialling of the draft main text of the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement today (July 15) in Macau. On the front row are the Deputy Director-General of Trade and Industry, Miss Winky So (left), and the Acting Director of Macao Economic Services of the Macau SAR, Ms Chan Tze-wai (right).