3
"On my part, I stand ready, as ever, to consider proposals emanating from the working group, including the one for reducing the total transaction costs of securities," he said.
Mr Hui believed that this working group would complement the one on new market development which the Exchange had already set up.
"The terms of reference of the working group on new market development clearly reflect the forward-looking attitude of the Exchange and its determination to maintain Hong Kong's leading position in the region.
"I understand that this group is now consulting the Securities and Futures Commission on a number of new products.
"I hope that firm recommendations will be forthcoming in time for the first anniversary of the Financial Secretary's initiatives related to promotion of services," said Mr Hui.
End
203 VMs depart on orderly repatriation flights
Two groups totalling 203 Vietnamese migrants (VMs) returned by air to Hanoi, Vietnam, today (Tuesday) on the 61st and 62nd flights under the Orderly Repatriation Programme (ORP).
All of the returnees, comprising 92 men, 53 women, 25 boys and 33 girls, are from North Vietnam.
The majority of them arrived in Hong Kong in 1989, with the remaining in 1988, 1990, 1991, 1995 and 1996.
The two groups brought to 5,926 the total number repatriated on ORP flights since November 1991.
End