Financial Secretary John Tsang will lead a high-level business mission to India in mid-December to foster closer economic ties between Hong Kong and India.

Mr Tsang will promote the advantages of investing and doing business in Hong Kong and highlight the city's strengths in the services and financial sectors. He will also highlight the advantages of using Hong Kong as a platform for doing business in and with the Mainland.

Mr Tsang will fly to India December 11 to attend meetings in the Indian financial centre Mumbai and the capital New Delhi. He will be accompanied by 20 leaders from financial and professional services sectors and the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

On December 12 Mr Tsang will visit the Bombay Stock Exchange. He will speak at an HSBC business luncheon and a Trade Development Council business seminar, and attend an Indian Banks' Association reception.

Mr Tsang will then visit the India Securities & Exchange Board, the India National Stock Exchange and Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services the next day. He will then travel to New Delhi where he will speak at another Trade Development Council business seminar and a Standard Chartered Bank business luncheon.

Mr Tsang will call on the Ministries of Finance and Communications & Information Technology, and attend a Punjab National Bank reception.

Mr Tsang will return to Hong Kong December 16.