Vote of confidence: Chief Executive Donald Tsang thanks overseas and Mainland investors for their vote of confidence in Hong Kong.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says Hong Kong has made an impressive progress in its economic development during the past decade, adding the city will strengthen its infrastructural links with the Mainland.

Speaking at a reception today, Mr Tsang thanked overseas and Mainland investors for their vote of confidence in Hong Kong.

"Over the past decade, the value of our trade in goods and services has grown by 67%. Port cargo is up 64%. Air cargo has doubled. Stock market capitalisation has grown four-fold. The number of listed companies is up 78%. The Hang Seng Index is up 87% approximately. The number of visitors has more than doubled. The number of foreign-owned regional operations has grown by more than 50%. 

"As important as these changes are, there are some things that have not and will not change. The rule of law upheld by an independent judiciary. Our civil rights and freedoms. The free flow of information, capital, people and goods. Our multi-cultural, multi-faith, multi-national community. Our level playing field for business. A clean government."

Noting Hong Kong is not a city that dwells overmuch on past achievements, Mr Tsang said the city has to strengthen its infrastructural links with the Mainland through roads, bridges, airports and piers.

Inward investment robust

Director-General of Investment Promotion Mike Rowse said inward investment has remained robust this year. As at the end of June, Invest Hong Kong had assisted 147 companies to invest or expand in Hong Kong, achieving more than half of its annual target of 250. 

CEPA has continued to have a positive impact on attracting investors to Hong Kong. Some 23% of the companies assisted by Invest Hong Kong so far this year have indicated that CEPA was one of the factors considered when making the investment.