Regional talks: Chief Executive Donald Tsang speaks at the fifth Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation & Development Forum.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says Hong Kong, in the face of twin threats from the global financial turmoil and human swine flu, will continue to share its experience and make contributions to regional co-operation.

Speaking at the fifth Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation & Development Forum at Nanning, Guangxi today, he said Hong Kong will seize the opportunity brought about by the outline of the plan for the reform and development of the Pearl River Delta and Supplement VI to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

"The HKSAR Government attaches great importance to the opportunity brought about by the outline. The industrial structure within the region will definitely be enriched by capitalising on the framework and platform provided by the outline.

"We will further develop the considerable market of the population of 50 million in the Greater PRD region, and tap the potential of the PPRD region which has a population of more than 400 million," Mr Tsang added.

On regional industrial co-operation, the Government has launched a number of measures to promote the upgrading and restructuring of the processing industry and to facilitate the sale of processed goods on the Mainland.

The Government will strengthen ties with the PPRD region, organise business matching events and trade fairs, and disseminate information on local consumer markets and access channels so as to assist the Hong Kong business community to invest in the Mainland market.

In view of the current adverse economic environment, Hong Kong will continue to make a mark in acting as a bridge in PPRD regional co-operation to jointly overcome the economic crisis.

"With our edges in infrastructure, financial services, trade, logistics, tourism and information services, coupled with a sound legal system and regulatory framework, flexible business environment, as well as the expediency brought about by the CEPA, Hong Kong will continue to provide an important platform in assisting the Mainland to go global and attract foreign investment," Mr Tsang said.