Opportunity knocks: Chief Executive Donald Tsang meets representatives of professional organisations to discuss how to seize opportunities arising from CEPA and the 11th 5-Year Plan.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says the Government will help the professional sector explore new niches in the Mainland market by enriching the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and establishing and expanding a close-knit network of professional services.

He today met representatives of professional organisations to discuss how to seize opportunities arising from CEPA and the 11th 5-Year Plan to further the development of Hong Kong's professional sector. He said the Government has supported various professions in tapping business opportunities on the Mainland.

"After reviewing the implementation of CEPA in the past three years, one of the Government's policy objectives is to co-operate more closely with the professional sector. We will help them explore new niches in the Mainland market by enriching CEPA and establishing and expanding a close-knit network of professional services," Mr Tsang said.

"We hope that more opportunities and new areas for development will arise from these two directions."

Re-think urged

Mr Tsang said the country is developing fast and the realisation of the plan will have a profound impact on the prevailing economic development track and strategies.

"We should reconsider our follow-up actions to the plan to further the development of the economies of Hong Kong and the Mainland."

The Chief Executive said the professional services sector has a competitive edge but it must constantly adapt to the changing Mainland environment, to widen its scope for development and to meet challenges from other competitors.