30.         We will re-organise the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council. The Council will be renamed the "Consultative Committee on Economic and Trade Co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland". Its expanded terms of reference will cover economic and trade issues between Hong Kong and all regions in the Mainland. It will make policy proposals and suggest implementation strategies for strengthening economic and trade co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland, including measures to assist Hong Kong enterprises in tapping the Mainland market.

Hong Kong and Overseas Countries

31.         Hong Kong is an externally-oriented economy. The Government will maintain ties with our trading partners and related international organisations around the world in order to expand our markets. We will strengthen economic and trade exchanges with emerging markets and participate actively in the World Trade Organisation's negotiations to create a more favourable trade environment. We will also endeavour to enter into more free trade agreements with our trading partners. We are seeking to join the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area so that our goods, services and investments can access the ASEAN market under more favourable conditions

32.         We will also pursue Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with overseas countries. This will help secure better protection of overseas investments by Hong Kong business people and attract foreign investors to Hong Kong. We have agreed with Russia and Chile respectively to negotiate such an agreement and will strive for early conclusion of the negotiations.

Contents | Next