HKSAR ready to celebrate 10th anniversary
More than 450 activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will roll out from April to December, according to Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Lam.

“We are impressed by the overwhelming response of community groups which have initiated a wide range of activities to celebrate HKSAR’s 10th anniversary,” said Mrs. Lam.

“This has created a celebration program with a good mix of events in various major economic and social sectors and in the 18 districts for wider public engagement.

Government releases competition policy report
On March 19, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government released a report on the public consultation exercise on Hong Kong’s competition policy. The consultation, conducted between November 2006 and February this year, indicated there was support from the majority of respondents for the introduction of a cross-sector competition law in Hong Kong.

Last November, the Economic Development and Labour Bureau issued a public discussion document entitled “Promoting Competition: Maintaining our Economic Drive” and invited views from stakeholders on the way to implement Hong Kong’s competition policy.

Hong Kong’s 2006 GDP up 6.8%
Hong Kong’s GDP increased 7% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2006 from a year earlier, compared with the 6.7% growth in the third quarter.

For 2006 as a whole, a 6.8% GDP growth was recorded in real terms compared to 2005, according to the preliminary figures of constant price GDP by economic activity for the fourth quarter of 2006 and the whole year of 2006 released by the Census and Statistics Department.

Analyzed by constituent sector and on a year-on-year comparison, net output in all the service sectors rose 9.3% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2006, after an 8.1% growth in the third quarter.

Entertainment Expo featured latest developments in film, TV
Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology Joseph W.P. Wong visited the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on March 21 to see the latest developments in film, television, animation and digital entertainment services.

FILMART is the major highlight of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2007. It is regarded as the most important trade fair for media and entertainment products in Asia. More than 450 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions took part in FILMART, held March 20-23.

Hong Kong, Shenzhen share experience on development plan
The Planning Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) and the Shenzhen Development and Reform Bureau (SZDRB) exchanged views and shared experiences in strategic and comprehensive transport planning during a March 14 meeting.

The session enabled the HKSARG to better understand the Shenzhen Municipality’s 11th Five-year Plan (11th FYP). It also enabled mutual understanding between the SZDRB and the Planning Department regarding comprehensive transport planning and the relevant institutional set-up and functions for strengthening communication and cooperation.