Session No. 5 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2010-11
Question: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) seeks to promote Hong Kong as an ideal platform for doing business with the Mainland. However, it seems that this function will be diminished with the signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement between the Mainland and Taiwan. How will this affect the work of HKTDC? What is the future work plan of its Taipei Office to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation between Taiwan and Hong Kong and help promote our trade activities? Asked by: Hon. WONG Ting-kwong Reply: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)’s Taiwan Office was established to ensure Hong Kong could position itself to take advantage of the business opportunities arising from the improving cross-strait trade and economic relations. The proposed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement under discussion will not affect HKTDC’s works in this respect. In 2010-11, the Taiwan Office will step up its efforts in promoting exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan in the areas of trade and economic co-operation. Apart from continuing to encourage Taiwanese exhibitors and buyers to join Hong Kong’s trade fairs, the Office will focus its efforts in promoting Hong Kong’s professional services (for example, logistics, finance, arbitration, advertising and marketing etc.), with a view to helping Taiwanese businessmen leverage on the Hong Kong business platform to enter the Mainland’s domestic market as well as channeling Mainland’s capital to investments in Taiwan through the Hong Kong platform. HKTDC will work with various Taiwanese industry associations to foster collaboration between Taiwanese brands and Hong Kong’s service providers through using Hong Kong as an intermediary and base for accessing the Mainland’s domestic market. In addition, HKTDC will strengthen its cooperation with the major industry associations in Taiwan to promote Hong Kong’s service sectors with potential for development in Taiwan, for example, the real estate, infrastructure and creative and entertainment industries. HKTDC will also continue to work closely with the Hong Kong Exchanges to promote the advantages of listing in Hong Kong to Taiwanese enterprises and industries. Moreover, HKTDC will encourage Taiwan’s science research institutes and tertiary institutions to make use of HKTDC’s promotion platform and business matching service in Hong Kong to commercialise their R & D deliverables. HKTDC’s Taiwan Office will give full support to the Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee, a mechanism for promoting bilateral trade, to be established by the Hong Kong and Taiwanese governments.
Question: With the establishment of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) on 1 January 2010, would the Administration please inform this Committee if there is any specific work plans for the challenges and opportunities brought about by the CAFTA? Has the Administration earmarked any additional resources to study and handle matters related to the CAFTA? If yes, what are the expenditure and manpower involved? Asked by: Hon. WONG Ting-kwong Reply: Hong Kong maintains close ties and collaboration with ASEAN members in trade, economy and other areas. With the establishment of the CAFTA, we believe that the regional economic partnership and business activities will be enhanced. Hong Kong will benefit from new opportunities as a result of an increase in total trade and a more efficient allocation of resources in the region. The HKSAR Government endeavors to strengthen our relation and co-operation with ASEAN members and embrace the new opportunities arising from the latest developments. For instance, Hong Kong signed a Joint Declaration on Strengthening Economic Co-operation with Malaysia on 1 December 2009, aiming to encourage and promote bilateral economic collaboration. This is the first milestone to explore a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) between Hong Kong and Malaysia. We are also proactive in negotiating with individual ASEAN trading partners for agreements that are beneficial to the goods and services sectors of Hong Kong. We will continue to explore the possibility of entering into FTAs with other trading partners. The HKSAR Government will continue to closely monitor and examine the impact of the CAFTA on Hong Kong with existing resources. We will also step up our efforts in enhancing the ties and collaboration with ASEAN members. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) will conduct visits to ASEAN countries from time to time and meet with relevant officials and local business communities. Singapore ETO will also organise activities to foster closer ties and co-operation with these countries.
Directory: citb -> doc doc -> Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc Download 4.7 Mb. Share with your friends:
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