German delegation visits Hong Kong

April 19, 2002

A German delegation, headed by Dr Axel Gerlach, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, visited Hong Kong today (April 19).

Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mrs Carrie Yau, welcomed the delegation's visit to Hong Kong, which was organised under the aegis of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on information and communications technology (ICT) co-operation between Hong Kong and Germany. Mrs Yau briefed the delegation on the latest IT development in Hong Kong and discussed with Dr Gerlach on issues of common interest including the Cyberport project, ITU TELECOM ASIA 2002, and other co-operative activities under the MOU.

Mrs Yau said, "The MOU that I signed with Dr Werner Mller, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology of Germany last month in Berlin signifies the firm commitment of both places to co-operate in the field of information and communications technology. Dr Gerlach's visit today is the first of such co-operative activity to be held after the signing of the MOU."

The delegation also met with other Hong Kong governments officials to exchange views on China's accession to the World Trade Organisation and the opportunities for Hong Kong; Hong Kong's role and prospects in the economic development of the Pearl River Delta; as well as business opportunities arising from Hong Kong's transport infrastructure and environmental projects. Mrs Yau said, "These exchanges facilitate mutual understanding between Hong Kong and Germany. With the contacts established, we can further develop co-operative activities between the two places."

"With our established institutional strengths and competitive edges in the Mainland market, we can help German entrepreneurs to establish or expand their businesses here, and to explore the massive opportunities in the Mainland, especially when China is now a member of the World Trade Organisation," she added.

The delegation today also visited the Cyberport, the IT flagship project in Hong Kong, today. Dr Gerlach said,"The Cyberport provides state-of-the-art facilities and many useful services. I am confident that with the provision of a first class infrastructure for clustering of IT and IT-related companies, the Cyberport will play a key role in facilitating collaboration between Germany and Hong Kong in the field of IT and telecommunications."

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