Hong Kong to Participate in PECC Meeting
Saturday, August 30, 2003

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation:

Hong Kong will participate actively in the 15th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC XV), the plenary forum of PECC, to be held on September 1 - 3, in Brunei Darussalam.

The theme of PECC XV is "Securing the Future". The meeting will examine the challenges faced by the region in the 21st Century. Key issues for discussion include rejuvenating growth, mapping economic integration and building partnership for development.

Leading the Hong Kong delegation is the Chairman of the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (HKCPEC), Prof. Edward Chen, President of Lingnan University.

Also attending the meeting will be the Vice-chairman of the HKCPEC and Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology (Commerce & Industry), Mr. Raymond Young and representatives from the business, academic and government sectors.

Prominent business leaders, Dr. Victor Fung, Chairman of Li & Fung Group of Companies and Mr. David Eldon, Chairman of HSBC Asia Pacific would also speak at PECC XV.

The PECC XV will be preceded by a Standing Committee meeting to be held on August 31, and a Coordinating Group meeting on August 30 which will discuss the policy issues and determine the work programme of PECC respectively.

The PECC XV will also mark the end of the Brunei chairmanship. After the Brunei meetings, Korea will take over the PECC chairmanship in 2003-2005 for two years.

PECC is a non-governmental organisation set up in 1980 with the purpose of developing closer cooperation among economies in the region in trade and economic policy issues.

Currently, PECC has a total of 25 member committees, of which 23 are full members representing the economies of Australia, Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Ecuador; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; the Pacific Islands Forum; Peru; the Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States; and Viet Nam; and two are associate members representing France (Pacific Territories) and Mongolia.

The PECC also has two institutional members which are the Pacific Trade and Development Conference (PAFTAD) and Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC).