Hong Kong and Ireland build on ICT co-operation accord

The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, led a high level information and communications technology (ICT) business delegation to visit Europe, and Ireland was his first stop. This was the second visit of a high-level Hong Kong Principal Official to Dublin in the last five months.

In the morning of March 10 (Irish time), Mr Tang met with the Irish Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D. They discussed ways to implement the Joint Statement on Co-operation in ICT exchanged between the Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, and the Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Mrs Mary Harney, on November 29, 2002.

Various topics were discussed during the 45-minute meeting, including:

* Possibilities for a physical high-speed connectivity project between Ireland and Hong Kong.

* The latest developments on the Regulatory Framework for advanced mobile service.

* Bilateral exchange of civil servants in the ICT field to enhance mutual co-operation.

Mr Tang also extended an invitation to Minister Ahern to visit Hong Kong later this year.

After the meeting Mr Tang said: "Hong Kong is a leading digital city in the Asia-Pacific. With the similarities between Hong Kong and Ireland and our close proximity to the Mainland of China, Irish companies, especially SMEs, should be able to find potential partners in Hong Kong to help them venture into the Mainland market. I hope to see more collaboration between the two economies under the auspices of the Joint Statement on Co-operation in ICT that we have exchanged in November 2002."

Minister Ahern stated: "Both Ireland and Hong Kong have much in common, in particular we are both capitalising on the opportunity and economic benefits of the new information age. Greater co-operation between Ireland and Hong Kong will assist both economies. Many Irish firms are anxious to tap into the Chinese market while inward investment in Ireland offers opportunities to gain access to the EU marketplace."

Mr Tang and Mr Ahern later attended as guests of honour a Chinese New Year luncheon for 150 participants organised by the Ireland Hong Kong Forum. Launched last November, the Forum aims to promote two-way trade and business co-operation.

In the afternoon, Mr Tang will visit the Research and Innovation Services Centre of Trinity College, which promotes links between the researchers of Trinity College and the business and industry. He will tour some of the companies housed in the campus incubation facilities that have evolved from academic research.

Following the visit, Mr Tang will meet with the Irish Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Michael Ahern, to discuss matters of mutual interest on trade and WTO issues. They will then attend an ICT business networking dinner organised with Enterprise Ireland, before departing for the CeBIT electronics fair in Hanover the next day.

Monday, March 10, 2003

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