Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa has met visiting Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, encouraging more Irish businesses to use Hong Kong as their base for entering the Mainland market.

Mr Ahern, accompanied by Minister of Enterprise, Trade & Employment Michael Martin and Minister for Telecommunications, Marine & Natural Resources Noel Dempsey, is on a two-day trip to Hong Kong.

Mr Tung met Mr Ahern tonight and spoke of Hong Kong's significant role in the Mainland's economic development.

"Hong Kong hosts the largest Irish community in Asia. We are particularly thankful for the enormous contribution that the Irish community has made towards the development of education in Hong Kong," Mr Tung said, adding they will both push for enhanced co-operation.

They reviewed progress in bilateral co-operation, discussed the latest developments in both places and ways to strengthen ties not only in economic and trade areas but in education, information communication technology, taxation, justice, transport, culture and civil service exchange.

Working holiday scheme

Mr Ahern welcomed the opportunity for closer collaboration particularly in the area of software and telecommunications, education and engineering services.

"This is in line with the Irish government's Asia strategy which has been in place for the past six years. The strategy has contributed in a significant way to the development of our relations with Hong Kong, Mainland China and other Asian countries," he said.

Mr Tung and Mr Ahern witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Working Holiday Scheme. The two sides also initialled an Agreement on the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders.

Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang will accompany Mr Ahearn to visit Wah Yan College which was founded by Irish Jesuit priests. A pilot programme for the exchange of secondary school students between Ireland and Hong Kong will be set up.

Mr Ahern will also meet the local Irish community and attend a Gaelic football match tomorrow at Happy Valley.