Business and Professional Services

38.         CEPA provides preferential treatment for our business and professional services sector to enter the Mainland market. To achieve the goal of basically liberalising trade in services between the Mainland and Hong Kong by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan period, the Government and the relevant CPG ministries have embarked on studies with a view to formulating as soon as possible a specific work plan. The further opening up of the Mainland's services market to Hong Kong will facilitate our businesses and professionals to expand their presence in the Mainland.

39.         "One Country, Two Systems", the rule of law and the advantages of CEPA stand Hong Kong in good stead in promoting arbitration and mediation services. The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission and the Hague Conference on Private International Law have all set up their regional offices in Hong Kong. We will strive to further attract suitable international legal organisations as well as arbitration and mediation institutions to set up offices in Hong Kong. This will enhance our position as a legal services hub in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthen our role as an international legal services centre, in turn promoting our economic development. Apart from recently forming the Steering Committee on Mediation, the Department of Justice will vigorously promote our arbitration and mediation services in the Mainland and abroad through various channels.

Contents | Next