Business channel: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa says Hong Kong is determined to maintain its position as the premier platform for the Mainland to communicate and trade with the world.

Hong Kong is determined to maintain its position as the premier business platform for the world to enter the Mainland market, and for Mainland companies to reach out to the world.

This was the message of the Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa at a luncheon for Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus at Government House today.

Mr Tung said the World Bank has predicted that by 2020, China will be the world's second or third largest economy.

"China's success is not just  manufacturing, but also an extremely attractive market for international companies," he said.

Recently, Hong Kong has made significant progress in enhancing the co-operation with the Mainland. The implementation this year of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, a free-trade agreement between Hong Kong and the Mainland, will give Hong Kong companies and professionals greater access to the huge and growing Mainland market, he said.

Czech Republic establishes investment promotion agency in HK

This arrangement is equally applicable to international businesses, including Czech companies operating in Hong Kong, irrespective of their country of origin, he added. 

Mr Tung said the Czech Republic, as the first among the new European Union member states to establish an investment promotion agency in Hong Kong, will take advantage of the opportunities brought about by CEPA and the developing Mainland market.

He said Hong Kong will certainly benefit from closer trade and economic relations with the Czech Republic.

"I look forward to the deepening of our bilateral trade relationship, which has already seen a healthy growth of 10% a year over the last five years."