Wellington welcome: New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark greets Donald Tsang making his first official visit to the country as Chief Executive.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang has appealed to New Zealand companies to leverage their reputation for quality goods and services by using Hong Kong as a platform for expansion in Asia.

Meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of Finance Michael Cullen in Wellington today, Mr Tsang noted New Zealanders want more Hong Kong investment in areas other than the traditional focus on property, such as high technology, biotechnology, renewable energy, and movie production and services.

Mr Tsang said improving the environment and quality of life in Hong Kong tops his policy agenda.

Role model

"While we have a lot to offer, we also have a lot to learn from New Zealand in areas such as renewable energy and environmental conservation. New Zealand is a role model for us in this regard," he said.

During a luncheon with the Asia New Zealand Foundation, the Chief Executive said New Zealand companies have a proven record in supplying excellent produce and business services in other areas such as accounting and the law.

"Such goods and services command a premium in Hong Kong and China. People pay for that type of quality because competition nowadays for these types of things is so strong. I would encourage small and medium enterprises wishing to take their first steps into Asia to do so through Hong Kong," Mr Tsang said.

Progress made

On the World Trade Organization's Doha Development round of talks, Mr Tsang said the current round has been very tough and that some progress was made at last week's APEC meeting. He hopes that more hard work in the coming months will improve this round's "chances of survival".

Mr Tsang will depart for Auckland tomorrow where he will officiate at a Hong Kong Tourism Board promotion for the 2008 Olympic Equestrian events. He will also visit a healthcare services company and deliver a keynote speech at a Hong Kong-New Zealand Gala Dinner.