The Government is making steady progress preparing for Telecom World 2006 and is pleased to note a large number of overseas and Mainland industry leaders have already indicated their interest in taking part in the event.

This was the message from Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang at a reception held in Beijing last night to launch the full Mainland marketing activities for the International Telecommunication Union Telecom World 2006.

China's Information Industry Vice-Minister Jiang Yaoping, and Mr Tsang with more than 300 business leaders, professionals from the information and communications technology industry and media representatives on the Mainland and from overseas planned to attend.

Speaking at the reception, Mr Tsang said that since Hong Kong was awarded the right to host Telecom World 2006, promotional activities had been launched in support of the ITU's marketing efforts, riding on major international information and communications technology events.

"We expect to see a strong turnout of Chinese companies at Telecom World 2006. We also expect a strong contingent of Mainland media as well in covering and disseminating news of the event."

Mr Tsang also took the opportunity to brief guests on the enormous business opportunities to be brought about by ITU Telecom World 2006, and invited them to Hong Kong to participate in the prestigious international event.

The ITU Telecom World 2006 will be held from December 4 to 8, 2006, in Hong Kong. It is the first time the event will have been held outside Geneva, where the ITU is based.

Event has two parts

The event comprises two parts - the exhibition and the forum. The exhibition enables industry players to showcase their latest equipment, services or technologies, while the forum provides a platform for participants to debate critical issues on policies and regulation, key technologies, business applications and environment.