Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will depart for Vientiane, Laos, tomorrow to attend the eighth Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China (HKC) Consultation meeting to be held on September 20.

Mr Yau and the participating economic ministers of ASEAN member states will discuss the implementation of the ASEAN-HKC Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Agreement, and exchange views on other issues such as the latest regional and global economic development. On the sidelines of the meeting, he will hold bilateral meetings with ASEAN officials to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.

After the ASEAN Economic Ministers - HKC Consultation meeting, Mr Yau will visit Singapore from September 22 to 24 to meet senior officials and representatives from major business chambers to discuss economic and trade co-operation issues.

Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on September 24. During his absence, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn will take up the post of the Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development on September 19 and 20 concurrently, while Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary from September 21 to 24.