Second-quarter GDP up 6.9%
Hong Kong’s economy expanded briskly in the second quarter of 2007 with GDP accelerating to a 6.9% growth in real terms compared to a year earlier and up from a revised 5.7% in the first quarter.

Forecast GDP growth for 2007 as a whole has been revised to 5%-6% from 4.5%-5.5%, while the forecast consumer price inflation rate remained at 1.5%.

Hong Kong-Shenzhen Cooperation Forum
held in Hong Kong
The Central Policy Unit (CPU) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Research Association and the China Development Institute held the second Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation Forum August 13 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

The forum was initiated by the research institutions of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, with the first forum held in August 2006 in Shenzhen.

Company registration surges in first half year
The total number of local companies and overseas companies registered under the Companies Ordinance increased during the first six months of 2007 compared with the corresponding period of 2006, according to statistics released by the Companies Registry.

A total of 47,417 new local companies incorporated during the first six months of 2007, up 19.12% compared to 39,807 in the corresponding period in 2006.

Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council issues 2006-07 annual report
The Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council issued its third annual report on its work for 2006-07.

On the report, Hong Kong Chief Executive said he was pleased to note that the Business Council had put forth very constructive views on various major items relating to Hong Kong/Guangdong cooperation.

Industry's support for a wireless Hong Kong
called for
Hong Kong Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) Rita Lau urged the information and communications technology (ICT) industry to join with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to enhance Hong Kong’s status as an advanced digital city.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the Government Wi-Fi Program “GovWiFi” on July 31, Mrs. Lau said building an inclusive and knowledge-based society was one of the action areas identified in the draft 2007 Digital 21 Strategy — the blueprint for future development of ICT in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, U.S. Customs conduct joint factory visits Hong Kong and United States Customs officers conducted a series of joint factory observation visits in Hong Kong over a two-week period starting August 10.

Head of Trade Controls of Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department Cheung Sai-yan said the joint visits were part of the ongoing cooperation between the Customs authorities of Hong Kong and the U.S. to facilitate legitimate textile and clothing trade between the two, as well as part of the effort to combat illegal transshipment of textiles and clothing.

Web site promotes major Asian arts events
The ArtSIA Calendar Web site [www.artsia.org], which is designed to disseminate the latest information on arts events in the 11 Asian economies, was launched at the Asia Cultural Cooperation Forum (ACCF) 2007 on July 23. The site was developed and will be maintained by the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.