The first Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation & Development Forum, jointly organised by nine provinces and Hong Kong and Macau, will be held next month to promote regional co-operation.

Welcoming the arrangement, Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said regional economic development is an inevitable trend.

He said the Pan-Pearl River Delta is a new concept and will become another breakthrough of economic co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland following the implementation of CEPA.

"Economic co-operation and development in the PPRD region can greatly expand our economic hinterland and enhance our business opportunities," he said.

"It has positive implications in the areas of logistics, investment, professional services and tourism. Hong Kong will spare no effort in taking part in this co-operation.

"On the regional level, the new concept will also be conducive to enhancing the overall competitiveness and co-ordination in the PPRD region."

He said Hong Kong was chosen to host the opening of the forum reflected yet again the support given and importance attached to Hong Kong by the Central Authorities and the Mainland.

PPRD region "9+2"

The PPRD region, which is also known as "9+2", involves nine provinces - Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan as well as the Hong Kong and Macau special administrative regions.

This year's forum, with the theme "Prosperity through Partnership", will be held in three stages. It will open in Hong Kong on June 1, to be followed by discussion in Macau on June 2.  The Forum will close in Guangzhou on June 3.

Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Guangdong Provincial Party Committee Secretary Zhang Dejiang will deliver a keynote speech and Mr Tung will also speak at the opening ceremony.

Other participants will include leaders from the National Development & Reform Commission, HK-Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Railway, National Tourism Administration, State Development Research Centre of the Central Government, as well as representatives from various provinces, Macau and well-known people from business and academia.