Bridge builder: Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam (right) says the Government attaches great importance to taking forward the PPRD regional cooperation.

Hong Kong must maintain and strengthen its status as an international transport hub and maritime centre by improving infrastructure networks with other places in the Pan-Pearl River Delta, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam says.

Speaking at the PPRD Development & Reform Commissions' directors' meeting today, Mr Lam said Hong Kong will step up its efforts in taking forward the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge project and the express rail link between Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Noting the Government attaches great importance to taking forward the PPRD regional cooperation, he said it will seek to enhance understanding of the region's development.

PPRD enterprises invited to list in HK

Hong Kong will encourage enterprises in the region to set up branch offices and to list in Hong Kong, with a view to promoting our financial services and our status as an international financial centre, he added.

Hong Kong will also expand step-by-step, in the "9+2" region. In particular, Hong Kong's professional services will be encouraged to set up in the Mainland in accordance with Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

"To enhance our understanding of the development of the PPRD, the government has launched a series of visits to various PPRD provinces/regions in the past few months. By doing so, we are also strengthening ties and paving the way for closer cooperation in the future," Mr Lam said.

Progress in regional cooperation was already being made, following the signing of the "PPRD Regional Cooperation Framework Agreement" last June by Hong Kong and its Mainland counterparts in the PPRD region.

More development opportunities available

As concrete measures are rolled out, there will be greater development opportunities for the whole "9+2" region, Mr Lam said.

At the invitation of the Hong Kong Government, representatives from the PPRD General Co-ordination Offices of the nine provinces and Macau embarked on a six-day visit to Hong Kong. The visit will conclude tomorrow.

The delegation met with representatives from government bureaus/departments and organisations to strengthen ties and prepare for future cooperation. They also visited container and airport terminals to enhance their understanding of Hong Kong's development.