Governor ends action-packed visit in the Philippines
The closure of Manila Airport has delayed the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten's return to Hong Kong after his first official visit to the Philippines.
The Governor ended what he described as his "action- packed" two-day programme today (Tuesday) with a press conference following visiting to Subic Bay, the former US naval base which is now being developed into a free port and enterprise
zone.
In the morning he met President of the Senate, Neptali A Gonzales, and the Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Ernesto Maceda for an one hour discussion on issues of mutual concern to the Hong Kong and Philippines' governments, including the future of the domestic helpers after 1997, and the prospect for continuing economic and trade relations.
In Subic Bay, the Governor, accompanied by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman, Mr Richard Gordon, and other senior officials, toured new industrial and commercial developments, several of which are being runned by the Hong Kong investors.
He was also taken to see the site of the facilities which are being developed for next year's APEC Economic Leader's Meeting.
During his two-day visit, Mr Patten had told the Philippines' leaders, including President Ramos, that Hong Kong would prepare to offer any assistance that might be required.
At the press conference today, Mr Patten pointed out that Subic Bay had already attracted the interest of a number of Hong Kong investors as well as investors from the rest of the world.
"Hong Kong, last year, invested overall US$290 million in the Philippines and at least some of that was in Subic Bay.
"Subic Bay is impressive, but I don't think any of us in Hong Kong have ever been worried about competition.
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