Press Releases

     The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Tam Pak Yuen, co-chaired the Second Hong Kong Macao Co-operation Meeting in Hong Kong today (February 9) to discuss the latest progress and future direction of co-operation between the two places.  Relevant officials from the two SARs attended the meeting.

     Since the first co-operation meeting held last June, with concerted efforts from the two places, there has been much progress in a number of co-operation areas. 

     The "Framework for Development and Reform Planning for Pearl River Delta Region (2008-2020)" was announced in early January.  The inclusion of close co-operation among Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao in the Framework allows more room for the three places to work together.  In the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the collaboration mechanism and co-operation issues for implementation of the Framework.  Both sides agreed to seize the opportunities enabled by the Framework and jointly identify suitable strategies to bring about more impetus for the development of the whole region.

     Mr Tsang said, "If Hong Kong, Guangdong, and Macao can re-affirm the division of work and the implementation under the Framework, complement each other and work together, greater and wider synergies can be generated resulting in win-win situations."

     In respect of tourism, Hong Kong and Macao agreed to deepen co-operation and strengthen partnership in tourism development and promotion.  The tourism resources of the two places strongly complement and supplement each other.  Hong Kong and Macao will enhance bilateral co-operation as well as co-operation with Guangdong on the joint promotion of "multi-destination" itineraries and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) tourism, thereby promoting tourism development within the region.

     As the economies of Hong Kong and Macao are suffering the impact of the financial tsunami, the meeting discussed the latest economic conditions and measures to maintain monetary and financial stability.  The meeting also discussed progress in other co-operation areas, including environmental protection and cross-boundary infrastructure.  On future work focus, the two sides will continue to maintain close co-operation and communication on existing areas and to explore new areas of co-operation with a view to leveraging the competitive advantages of the two places to face regional competition, so as to create a win-win situation.

Ends/Monday, February 9, 2009

The Second Hong Kong Macao Co-operation Meeting

The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang (left), and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Tam Pak Yuen (second right), co-chair the Second Hong Kong Macao Co-operation Meeting in Hong Kong today (February 9) to discuss the latest progress and future direction of co-operation between the two places.