Financial Secretary John Tsang has welcomed the Ministry of Commerce's decision to allow processing trade firms to pay standing book deposits by various means, including cash and bank guarantees.

He said the new arrangement will greatly help Hong Kong enterprises adjust themselves to recent policy changes in the processing trade.

He thanked the Central Government for accepting the Hong Kong Government's suggestion and traders and bankers to allow the industry to pay standing book deposits by bank guarantees in lieu of cash.

"We will continue to liaise closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Hong Kong enterprises, support the national policy, and at the same time ensure that suggestions made by the industry are fully reflected and considered by the Central Government in formulating new policies," Mr Tsang said.

"When opportunities arise, study tours similar to the one to Chenzhou will be arranged for Hong Kong industrialists to visit other cities that have potential for business relocation."