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"We are committed to find and to provide the right level of support for the services sector: support that will enhance not stifle the spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity.
"Outside Hong Kong, as a member in good standing of the World Trade Organisation, we are committed to keeping our markets open. We will continue to play a constructive role in negotiations on trade in services so as to help roll back the barriers to free trade that shackle the potential of our own and every community for mutual growth," Mr Patten said.
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Partnership to promote Hong Kong as a servicing economy
The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang today (Tuesday) urged leaders in the business and industry to work with the government to improve Hong Kong's competitiveness in providing services which are in demand in the global marketplace.
Speaking at the opening of the symposium on Services Promotion "Hong Kong Into the 21st Century: The Servicing Economy", Mr Tsang said while the government would continue to provide an environment for business to succeed, the major part would be played by the private sector.
"Together we will be able to reinforce Hong Kong's position as a regional service centre, servicing the emerging economies of the region, as well as servicing the business of our economy."
Mr Tsang said since he took up office as the Financial Secretary in September last year, he had been concerned with what the government could do to promote and support the development of the services sector.
"I set up the Task Force on Services Promotion and received advice from the Ad Hoc Group comprising of private sector members."
He also commissioned studies into Hong Kong's burgeoning services sectors, to examine its strengths and weakness, threats and opportunities and the linkage with the other sectors of the economy.