24
-
HK should seize opportunities beyond transition: FS
Please note that the following press release is embargoed until 8.30 pm this (Thursday) evening.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, today (Thursday) urged the people of Hong Kong to pull together and seize the opportunities that lie beyond the transition.
Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Association in London, Mr Tsang said the prospects for Hong Kong's economy were breathtaking if it adopted a long-term perspective now and developed the skills that were needed for a successful future.
"To continue to be successful Hong Kong must continue to excel in what Hong Kong has always excelled at- giving people what they want through the mechanism of the market," he said.
He said Hong Kong's economy and dynamism would be sustained increasingly by trade in goods and services in the region.
"Our markets will be in the most economically dynamic region in the world - East Asia - a region where GDP per head is doubling every 10 years and which is crying out for the type of sophisticated services that we must be ready to supply.
"In some cases our skills will be complementary to those offered in other regional centres, and I do not see Hong Kong competing head on with other regional economies.
"The East Asian market is simply too large. We should rather work together and contribute more effectively those services in our own niche.
"And let's not forget China, which is likely to enjoy continued sustained high real growth rates, forecast at between eight and nine per cent a year, well into the next century," said Mr Tsang.
He said the China market for Hong Kong goods, expertise, finance and skilled labour would keep on expanding.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.