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  Consolidating the Four Core Industries
   
 

71. First of all, we will continue to strengthen the four core industries. For the financial services sector, we will seize the opportunities brought by accelerated liberalisation and development of the Mainland economy to enhance Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre. In particular, we will tap into the huge potential of renminbi business, bond markets and asset management services. At the same time, we will continue to improve the quality and stability of our financial markets, enhance the regulation of listing and reinforce corporate governance. In terms of producer services, the Mainland's external trade exceeded US$1,000 billion last year, the fourth highest total in the world. Leveraging on the Mainland market, our producer services sector will have greater opportunities for expansion. To promote the upgrading of our producer services, the Government encourages wider application of technology and innovation, and strengthening design, research and development and brand-building activities. On the logistics front, the Government will liaise closely with the trade to formulate measures to enhance the competitiveness of the aviation and container freight industries. With the continuous growth of tourism in the Mainland and worldwide, we expect the number of visitors to Hong Kong to reach 35 million by 2010. As Asia's prime tourist destination, we will take active measures to consolidate existing advantages and further develop our potential. This will in turn create more job opportunities for the middle and lower strata.

72. According to the latest visitor survey conducted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, shopping is the main purpose of nearly 90% of our visitors. Hong Kong has always been a shopping paradise for visitors because we carry a wide range of genuine and trendy goods at fair prices and we provide quality service. The Luxury Conference held in Hong Kong at the end of last year further reinforced Hong Kong's status in the international fashion and luxury goods markets. A superior business reputation and rigorous quality management are competitive advantages we have worked long and hard to achieve. This year, we will adopt a multi-pronged approach to consolidate our advantages. We will do our best to protect intellectual property rights and to eliminate counterfeit goods. We will continue to promote "No Fakes" stickers to increase the confidence of those shopping in Hong Kong. At the same time, we will strive to expand consumer protection for visitors by rendering full support to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong to implement a penalty mechanism against non-compliance with the "100 per cent refund guarantee scheme". We will facilitate the extension of the Quality Tourism Services Scheme by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to cover more tourism-related trades. To improve the shopping environment, we plan to provide additional pedestrianised streets with upgraded support facilities in two major shopping and entertainment districts, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, with a view to making Hong Kong even more attractive as a shopping paradise.

   
 
   
2005| Important notices
Last revision date : January 12, 2005