From the Commissioner
Dear Friends,
July 1 marked the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Over the past 13 years, Hong Kong has weathered many challenges: the Asian financial crisis, avian flu, SARS, H1N1 and the recent global economic crisis. Yet through each, Hong Kong people persevered and the city emerged more resilient.
As we look ahead, Hong Kong aims to maintain the momentum of economic growth, and ensure more uniform growth, by capitalizing on the Mainland of China’s phenomenal economic development and nurturing domestic industries where Hong Kong enjoys competitive advantages.
Recent liberalization measures under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), Hong Kong’s quasi free trade agreement with the Mainland of China, further relaxes market access conditions and enhances trade and investment facilitation for Hong Kong companies and individuals in the Mainland of China.
Domestically, the Hong Kong government aims to broaden Hong Kong’s economic structure beyond the four traditional pillar industries of financial services, trading and logistics, tourism, and professional services to include six new industries, namely, testing and certification, medical services, innovation and technology, culture and creative industries, environmental industry and education services.
Another significant milestone since July 1, 1997, is the Legislative Council’s recent approval to amend the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council in 2012. The Legislative Council’s passage of the political reform package takes forward Hong Kong’s democratic development, in keeping with the ultimate aim of universal suffrage as prescribed in our mini-constitution, the Basic Law.
I am confident that the opportunities arising from our economic initiatives, as well as our political development, will boost Hong Kong’s living standards, enhance governance, and ensure future prosperity.
Lastly, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome our new colleague, Bassanio So, who has taken up the post of Director-General of the Washington office.
Bassanio’s predecessor, Eddie Mak, has returned to Hong Kong to become Deputy Postmaster General. Eddie served as Director-General of the Washington office for four years. For those of you who knew Eddie, you will no doubt recall his gregarious and jovial nature. I want to thank Eddie for his tireless work in strengthening Hong Kong-U.S. ties.
And I look forward to introducing Bassanio to our friends here in Washington, D.C.
HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN WASHINGTON D.C.
1520 18th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202)331-8947 Fax: (202)331-8958
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Copyright @ 2003, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington D.C.
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