A framework agreement between the Hong Kong Tourism Board and
Beijing Municipal Tourism Bureau was signed Hong Kong on Thursday
which will result in them working together to attract tourists from
major markets to watch 2008 Olympic events in both
locations.?
The framework agreement was one of the achievements of the
second Plenary Session of the Hong Kong-Beijing Economic and Trade
Cooperation Conference. The event was jointly chaired by Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region Chief Executive, Donald Tsang and
Beijing Municipal Mayor, Wang Qishan.
Hong Kong and Beijing agreed to support one another in launching
a tourism promotional package targeting the 2008 Olympics during
the preparatory period for the Games between 2006 and 2008.
Selina Chow, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said she
hoped the Olympic equestrian events being held in Hong Kong would
help attract many tourists who could travel to Beijing to watch
other events. "We take the huge market potential and business
opportunities brought by the Olympics seriously," Chow said.
The two cities also agreed to enhance cooperation in areas of
financial services, innovation, technology, the creative and
cultural industries along with the further implementation of the
Hong Kong/Mainland Closer Economic Partnership
Arrangement.?
The 2008 Olympics have already created business opportunities
for both cities in various Olympic-related services including
legal, financial, construction design and consultancy. .
Analysts believe the event will also bring business
opportunities to Hong Kong enterprises in Olympic-related
logistics, food and beverages, retailing, souvenir sales and
tourism.
Beijing hopes to introduce about US$690 million of investment
from Hong Kong investors into five tourism projects related to the
2008 Olympics.
At present 10 Hong Kong enterprises have participated in the
programs to make? products and provide retail services as Hong
Kong and Beijing promise to further promote information exchange on
Olympic-related business opportunities.
(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2006)