Press Release - May 7, 2003

To prepare for relaunching Hong Kong after the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is contained, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Tung Chee Hwa has instructed the HKSAR Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung to set up a strategy group with members drawn from the relevant economic sectors, local and international Chambers of Commerce, research institutes and academia.

The HKSAR Government announced today (May 7) appointments to the strategy group on revitalising Hong Kong chaired by Mr Leung.

The non-official members are:

Professor Chan Ka Keung, Dean of School of Business & Management, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology;

Mr Chan Wing Kee, President of Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong;

The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, Chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board;

Mr Ivan Choy Chi Keung, Lecturer, Division of Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong;

Dr Victor Fung, Chairman of Hong Kong Airport Authority;

Mr Ryota Honjo, President of Hong Kong Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry;

Mr Victor Lo, Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries;

Mr Norman Lyle, Chairman of British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong;

Mr Anthony Nightingale, Chairman of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce;

Mr Raymond Or, Chairman of The Hong Kong Association of Banks;

Mr James Thompson, Chairman of American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong;

Dr the Hon Philip Wong Yu-hong, Vice-Chairman of The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce;

Dr Rosanna Wong, Executive Director of Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups;

Mr Peter Woo, Chairman of Hong Kong Trade Development Council;

Mr Yip Kwok Wah, Paul, Chairman of Hong Kong Policy Research Institute Ltd;

Mr Yu Pang Chun, Chairman of Hong Kong Retail Management Association;

Mr George Yuen, Chief Executive of The Better Hong Kong Foundation; and

Mr Zhou Jie, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association.

The HKSAR Financial Secretary thanked all the Members for their time and effort to contribute to Hong Kong's recovery from SARS.

Mr Leung said: "This forum will provide an excellent platform for developing measures and activities to revitalise Hong Kong after the SARS epidemic is contained. I am delighted with the high calibre membership of this forum, which represents many of the key stakeholders in our economy.

"Their wide-ranging international knowledge and experience will help us formulate a strategy for revitalising our economy after this crisis and to restore confidence in Hong Kong as a key hub for conducting business in Asia Pacific and an ideal location for regional headquarters."

Mr Leung added: "I look forward to working with this distinguished group and am confident that this forum will produce valuable input for Hong Kong's relaunch."

The strategy group will advise the HKSAR Government on the necessary measures to revitalise Hong Kong once the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has been brought under control.

It will also assist the HKSAR Government to prepare and implement a comprehensive programme of promotional activities.

The officials in the strategy group are the HKSAR Financial Secretary; the HKSAR Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang; the HKSAR Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip; the HKSAR Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Frederick Ma; the HKSAR Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho; the HKSAR Director of Information Services, Miss Yvonne Choi and the Director of the HKSAR Chief Executive's Office, Mr Lam Woon-kwong.

The HKSAR Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, will serve as the secretary of the group.

The strategy group will hold its first meeting this Saturday (May 10).

For updated information and latest news on respiratory tract infections, please visit the special home page on the subject at www.info.gov.hk/info/infection-e.htm, and the HKSAR Department of Health website at www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm as well as the e-bulletin at www.news.gov.hk/en/index.shtml.