Tripartite meeting forges ahead with
regional developments
Attendees at the Third Liaison and Coordinating Meeting of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao on February 5 in Guangzhou reviewed the progress of those regions in implementing the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and decided on a future work plan. Hong Kong and Guangdong also discussed various cooperation initiatives at the meeting, reaching a consensus on a major future work plan.

Hong Kong-Mainland sign wine customs agreement
On February 9, Hong Kong and the Mainland signed a cooperation agreement on customs facilitation measures for wine entering the Mainland market through Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary John C. Tsang, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Rita Lau and Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism) Yvonne Choi witnessed the signing of the agreement by Hong Kong Commissioner of Customs and Excise Richard Yuen and China’s Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs Sun Yibiao.

Views to increase public financial literacy invited
With the publication of the consultation document on the “Proposed Establishment of an Investor Education Council and a Financial Dispute Resolution Centre” on February 9, Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury K.C. Chan invited the public and relevant professions to submit their views on the proposals during the three-month consultation period, which will end May 8.

Giving an outline of the consultation document at a news conference, Professor Chan stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to the protection and education of investors.

Exchange Fund records investment income of US$13.67 billion in 2009
Hong Kong’s Exchange Fund recorded an investment income of US$13.67 billion in 2009, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).

The main components included: a valuation gain on, and dividends from, Hong Kong equities amounting to US$6.26 billion ...