Financial Secretary John Tsang will leave on March 16 for a visit to Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia to foster closer economic relations.

Mr Tsang will call on Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak upon his arrival in Kuala Lumpur on March 17.

He will then meet Malaysian Finance Minister II Dato' Seri Haji Ahmad Husni bin Mohamad Hanadzlah, and officiate at the opening premiere of the Hong Kong Film Festival.

On March 18, Mr Tsang will visit Bank Negara Malaysia where he will meet the senior management and have a round-table with prominent figures in Islamic finance. Mr Tsang will then speak at a business luncheon to update the Malaysian business community on the latest situation in Hong Kong.

Mr Tsang will also call on the Securities Commission Malaysia and meet its chairman Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar.

Mr Tsang will arrive in Brunei on March 20 and attend the signing ceremony for the comprehensive agreement for the avoidance of double taxation between Hong Kong and Brunei.

He will also hold meetings with Brunei's Second Minister of Finance Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, and the Brunei Economic Development Board.

Mr Tsang will have an audience with His Majesty The Sultan and Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah and Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.

Business lunch

On his arrival in Jakarta on March 23, Mr Tsang will attend a lunch hosted by HSBC with leaders in the banking and financial-services sector in Jakarta.

He will meet Indonesian Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, and Bank Indonesia's Acting Governor Darmin Nasution, and sign the comprehensive agreement for the avoidance of double taxation between Hong Kong and Indonesia. He will also attend a cocktail reception hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

On March 24, Mr Tsang will have meetings with Brunei's Minister of Trade Dr Mari Elka Pangestu, and Capital Market & Financial Institution Supervisory Agency Chairman Dr A Fuad Rahmany.