Berlin brief: Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang speaks at a gala dinner in the China Club Berlin.

Initiatives like CEPA and the Mainland's Individual Visit Scheme have contributed to Hong Kong's recent economic rebound, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang says in Berlin.

On the third day of his nine-day trip to Europe, Mr Tsang met Germany's State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jurgen Chrobog, the State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics & Labour Dr Alfred Tacke and other officials.

"I am telling them how CEPA offers advantages to foreign investors seeking access to the Mainland market. In business, time is money, and CEPA can give them a step up on their competitors," he said.

One Country, Two Systems progress updated

Mr Tsang briefed the officials on the progress of the One Country, Two Systems concept.

"Hong Kong is contributing to our nation's economic development, while at the same time we continue to cherish the values that have made Hong Kong successful, such as the rule of law, the free flow of information, and a level playing field for business."

He also spoke on the work of the Constitutional Development Task Force, and its public consultations on ways to amend the methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and forming the Legislative Council in 2008.

Mr Tsang said both Hong Kong and Germany are eager to deepen academic exchange, and he welcomed a suggestion that more Hong Kong students consider studying at German universities.

HK-Germany bilateral trade up 19.1%

Germany was Hong Kong's biggest European trading partner last year, when bilateral trade posted impressive 19.1% growth. Trade between Hong Kong and Germany has continued to expand this year, growing 10.5% in the first eight months, year on year.

Hong Kong is home to 3,000 German nationals and over 500 German companies.

Tomorrow, Mr Tsang will continue his meetings in Berlin and speak at a business luncheon before travelling to Prague for the next leg of his European trip.