Lok Ma Chau Loop land uses will be determined and a comprehensive planning study conducted in the coming few months, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says, adding an inter-departmental steering committee has been set up to boost ties with Taiwan.

Delivering the 2008-09 Policy Address today, Mr Tsang said the Lok Ma Chau Loop has huge potential for long-term development. Results of the public consultation conducted earlier showed higher education, the research and development of new high technology, and cultural and creative industries received wide support on both sides. 

"We will assess these proposals in greater depth and consult stakeholders on the feasibility of various proposals. We intend to decide on the land uses of the Loop and conduct a comprehensive planning study in the coming few months," he added.

He said co-operation with Guangdong over the past year has been fruitful. However, co-ordination in planning and implementation of cross-boundary infrastructure projects must be bolstered. Efforts to take forward priority joint ventures in the short to medium term must be strengthened, focusing on:

* promoting co-operation in service industries;

* actively working with Guangdong to optimise and upgrade its industrial structure while helping Hong Kong enterprises respond to Mainland policy adjustments; and,

* actively facilitating cross-boundary environmental protection to create a green and quality living area in the Pearl River Delta region.

Taiwan ties to be enhanced

To enable Hong Kong to complement enhanced cross-strait relations, the Government is strengthening exchanges and co-operation with Taiwan, with a Trade Development Council office to be set up in Taipei and a Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee to be formed.

The Chief Executive has appointed the Financial Secretary to head an inter-departmental steering committee to examine and co-ordinate the overall strategy and action plan on closer economic and trade ties with Taiwan.

On boosting Hong Kong's technological development through financial and infrastructural support, Mr Tsang said the Government will work with the Shenzhen authorities to maximise the benefits of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle.

The internship programme under the Innovation & Technology Fund will also be extended to research and development centres to offer more opportunities to develop Hong Kong's human capital.