Macau residents are set to find visiting Hong Kong even easier, with the two Special Administrative Regions signing a memorandum enhancing travel convenience today.

Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok and Macau Identification Department Director Isaac Lai signed the document which is expected to boost Hong Kong's tourism sector.

The measures include:

* eligible Macau permanent residents can visit Hong Kong by producing their smart permanent ID card with a specified declaration form, and they can stay for up to 14 days;

* residents of Chinese or Portuguese nationality who have held Macau ID cards for less than two years can visit Hong Kong by using a Visit Permit for Residents of Macau to Hong Kong and stay for a up to 14 days; and,

* Macau Travel Permit holders who have held Macau ID cards for less than two years can transit in Hong Kong for up to seven days without the need to apply for a separate entry permit.

The first measure will be introduced in mid-October while the other two will be effective later this month. Some 450,000 Macau residents, or 93.7% of the population, will benefit from the arrangements.