COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
336
Mr Kwong also visited a number of IT firms including Electronic Arts, (an industry leader in the production of 3D computer game software), Mainframe Entertainment (a major player in 3D animation production) and Sierra Wireless (a fast growing wireless communications equipment producer for computers). Mr Kwong briefed senior executives of IT/telecommunications companies in Canada on the business opportunities in Hong Kong.
In collaboration with the HKTDC and the Canadian Consul General in Hong Kong, the Toronto ETO staged an IT roadshow in major Canadian cities after the Softworld show. The roadshow focused on IT/telecommunications" initiatives and business opportunities in Hong Kong.
Asia-Pacific
The Financial Secretary visited Singapore in October at the Singapore Government's invitation. Mr Tsang called on the Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, and attended the 1999 East Asia Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF). He spoke on 'Facing the Challenge of Good Governance: Acquiring the Software of Globalisation' at a plenary session on October 19. He was also the keynote speaker at a lunch organised by the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC.
The Financial Secretary met the Hong Kong Singapore Business Association, the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, the major think tanks and leading representatives from the business and banking sectors. He also visited the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the National Science and Technology Board.
During his visit, Mr Tsang met the US Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Stanley Roth, to exchange views on China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), international perceptions of Hong Kong after the transition and the current economic situation in the SAR. Mr Tsang also met the State Secretary for Economic Affairs of Switzerland, Dr David Syz. Their discussion touched on the relationship between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as competition between Hong Kong and other Chinese cities.
APEC Finance Ministers Meeting
The Financial Secretary attended the APEC Finance Ministers Meeting in Langkawi, Malaysia, in May. The Deputy Secretary for Financial Services, Mrs Rebecca Lai, and the Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Norman Chan, attended the APEC Finance Deputies Meeting.
The Secretary for Trade and Industry also visited Singapore in October for the WEF East Asia Economic Summit. At a plenary session, Mr Chau spoke about the benefits of multilateral trade liberalisation and a new millennium round of global trade talks, the attitude of Asian economies towards the new round of global talks and the coming Seattle WTO Ministerial Conference. He also met the Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Dr Syz, to discuss preparations for the Seattle conference, the impact of China's accession to the WTO, and Hong Kong's economic performance and attractiveness as a regional hub and base for multinational corporations.
During a visit to Malaysia in November, the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr Kwong, called on the Multimedia Development Corporation,