Financial Secretary John Tsang and Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau will attend the 2009 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation meetings in Singapore.

Mr Tsang will attend the 16th APEC Financial Ministers' Meeting and will take the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts in other APEC economies.

He will attend the Ministerial Retreat on November 12 in which ministers will discuss issues including new sources of growth and how APEC can advance structural reforms to raise the potential output growth rate.

Mr Tsang will also attend the two plenary sessions on Global Economic Developments & Implications for Fiscal Measures and Facilitating Finance for Sustainable Growth.

Mrs Lau will attend the 21st APEC Ministerial Meeting on November 11 and 12 to discuss with ministers on measures to boost the multilateral trading system, accelerate regional economic integration, foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and strengthen APEC. She will also accompany Chief Executive Donald Tsang at the APEC CEO Summit.

On November 13, Mrs Lau will host a reception for Hong Kong business people and prominent local leaders in Singapore. The Chief Executive will also attend the function.

While in Singapore, Mrs Lau will hold meetings with her ministerial counterparts to exchange views on bilateral trade relations and issues of mutual interest.

Both the financial secretary and Mrs Lau will leave for Singapore today, and will return to Hong Kong on November 13 and 14. During the finance chief's absence, Secretary for Development Carrie Lam will be the acting Financial Secretary.