Press Releases

Hong Kong still the best place for business

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is spending over US$128 million for a global relaunch of Hong Kong as the best place to do business and a great place to visit in Asia, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Eng-kiong Yeoh, told over 200 guests at a luncheon in San Francisco today (San Francisco time, August 5).

Noting that the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak has no doubt dealt a severe blow to Hong Kong's economy, the Secretary said that the Government is now working with various sectors, including airlines, hotels, restaurants and the retail sector to implement a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the economy.

Promotion events including international business conferences, exhibitions, sports and entertainment events, are in the pipeline. A fabulous welcome campaign has also been launched to provide exclusive offers by airlines, hotels and shops that one cannot resist.

"Indeed, the international community has given us a vote of confidence as the latest daily passenger numbers at Hong Kong International Airport has already reached 80 per cent of the pre-SARS level. We are on our road to recovery," he said.

In his presentation, "Hong Kong - Ensuring a Healthy Climate for Business", Dr Yeoh outlined the latest situation in Hong Kong, and shared with the audience Hong Kong's experience in its battle in eliminating SARS and what Hong Kong is doing to ensure the disease is kept away.

"What we have achieved would not be possible if we do not have a good foundation as well as a highly effective disease surveillance and control system, built upon an extensive network of public and private hospitals, clinics and laboratories," he said.

As the disease was totally new, the outbreak of SARS in early March had posed one of the greatest challenges to the people and the public health system in Hong Kong, Dr Yeoh noted.

He paid special tribute to the dedication of frontline healthcare workers, whom he said had demonstrated the best side of humanity through their selfless devotion in helping others during this crisis, and also the world-class researchers, who had joined overseas scientists to work round the clock to decode the virus.

Hong Kong must not be complacent although SARS has been contained, Dr Yeoh stressed.

Apart from the appointment of a SARS Expert Committee comprising international and local health professionals to identify lessons learnt in order to minimize the impact of future outbreaks, Dr Yeoh said the Government would, among other things, enhance infectious disease control facilities in public hospitals, study options for the setting up of an organisation with functions similar to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention as well as support fully further research projects on the prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases.

Last but not least, the Secretary took the opportunity to thank friends in the San Francisco Bay Area for showing much support and concern for those affected by the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong, and all the fundraising efforts and donation of medical supplies for the health care workers.

Dr Yeoh was in San Francisco to co-host the 33rd International Hospital Congress of the International Health Federation from August 2 to 5 in his capacity as the President of the Governing Council 2001-2003 Executive Committee. More information on the Congress can be found at http://www.hospitalconnect.com/healthforum/hfeducation/hfsummit.html

End/Wednesday, August 6, 2003
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