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The Government announced today (January 17) the establishment of the Economic Development Commission (the Commission) and its four Working Groups, with members appointed by the Chief Executive (CE).
In his election manifesto the CE said, "Economic diversification and thriving industries can improve our job market structure and provide better opportunities and upward mobility to our workers. As well, a diversified economy will give rise to a stronger middle class and better employment opportunities for our grass roots." In this light, he pledged to establish an Economic Development Commission led by himself to draw up an overall economic development strategy and industry policy.
In July 2012, a Preparatory Task Force on the Economic Development Commission was set up to make recommendations to the CE on the terms of reference, the operational model and the composition of the Commission. The CE announced in his Policy Address yesterday that the Commission will be established.
The terms of reference of the Commission are to provide visionary direction and advice to the Government on the overall strategy and policy to broaden Hong Kong's economic base and to enhance Hong Kong's economic growth and development; and, in particular, to explore and identify growth sectors or clusters of sectors which present opportunities for Hong Kong's further economic growth, and recommend possible policy and other support for these industries.
The CE will chair the Commission, under which four Working Groups are formed to study specific industries in an in-depth manner:
(1) Working Group on Transportation (including maritime and air transport);
(2) Working Group on Convention and Exhibition Industries and Tourism;
(3) Working Group on Manufacturing Industries, Innovative Technology, and Cultural and Creative Industries; and
(4) Working Group on Professional Services.
"The establishment of the Commission and its Working Groups reflects the Administration's determination to continue to make the best use of Hong Kong's existing edges and also explore new advantages and develop new strengths. We are looking forward to the wise counsel of the Commission for drawing up an overall industry policy with a view to creating jobs and improving people's livelihoods," a Government spokesman said.
"The non-official members of the Commission and the Working Groups are local and overseas experts with vast experience and rich knowledge in their own professions/sectors. We are grateful for their agreement to serve on the Commission to work with the Government in taking Hong Kong's economic development to a higher and sustainable level," the spokesman added.
The Commission comprises 22 non-official members and four ex-officio members. The membership of the Commission and its four Working Groups are as follows:
The Commission
Chairman
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Chief Executive
Non-official Members (22)
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Dr Ba Shusong
Professor Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon
Dr Raymond Ch'ien Kuo-fung
Dr Jonathan Choi Koon-shum
Mr Chow Chung-kong (Convenor of Working Group on Transportation)
Dr Fu Yuning
Dr Victor Fung Kwok-king
Mr He Guangbei
Mr Stanley Lau Chin-ho
Mr Lau Ping-cheung (Convenor of Working Group on Professional Services)
Mr Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen
Mr Andrew Liao Cheung-sing
Ms Christina Liu
Dr Victor Lo Chung-wing (Convenor of Working Group on Manufacturing Industries, Innovative Technology, and Cultural and Creative Industries)
Dr Lui Ming-wah
Mr Jack So Chak-kwong (Convenor of Working Group on Convention and Exhibition Industries and Tourism)
Mr Charley Song Lin
Mr Alan Tung Lieh-sing (Convenor of Sub-group on Maritime under Working Group on Transportation)
Mr Peter Wong Tung-shun
Dr David Wong Yau-kar
Mr George Yeo Yong-Boon
Dr Allan Zeman
Ex-officio Members
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Financial Secretary
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Secretary for Development
Secretary for Transport and Housing
Working Group on Transportation
Convenor
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Mr Chow Chung-kong
Non-official Members (11)
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Mr David Cheng Fu-kwok
Dr Marvin Cheung Kin-tung
Ms Agnes Choi Heung-kwan
Mr Victor Chu Lap-lik
Mr Peter Cremers
Dr Law Cheung-kwok
Dr Kelvin Leung Kai-yuen
Mr John Robert Slosar
Mr Alan Tung Lieh-sing (Convenor of Sub-group on Maritime under Working Group on Transportation)
Mr Philip Yang Liang-yee
Mr Dewey Yee
Ex-officio Member
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Secretary for Transport and Housing
Working Group on Convention and Exhibition Industries and Tourism
Convenor
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Mr Jack So Chak-kwong
Non-official Members (17)
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Mr Victor Chan Kok-wai
Mr Daniel Cheung Wai-hung
Mr Michael Chiay
Mr Stanley Chu Yu-lun
Mr Michael Roland Anton Duck
Ms Maureen Fung Sau-yim
Mr Allen Ha Wing-on
Mr Frederick Lam Tin-fuk
Mrs Monica Lee-Müller
Ms Lanny Leung Kong-lan
Mr Lo Yuk-sui
Mr Po Lap-wai
Mr Michael Wu Siu-ieng
Ms May Yeung Yuen-yi
Mr Freddy Yip Hing-ning
Mr Yu Pang-chun
Dr Allan Zeman
Ex-officio Member
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Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Working Group on Manufacturing Industries, Innovative Technology, and Cultural and Creative Industries
Convenor
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Dr Victor Lo Chung-wing
Non-official Members (18)
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Mr Charles Nicholas Brooke
Professor Philip Chan Ching-ho
Ms Karen Chan Ka-yin
Mr Clement Chen Cheng-jen
Ir Daniel Cheng Man-chung
Mr Kevin Ching Sau-hong
Dr Jonathan Choi Koon-shum
Dr Roy Chung Chi-ping
Mr Crucindo Hung Cho-sing
Mr Ko Chi-sum
Dr Peter Lau Kwok-kuen
Mr Freeman Lau Siu-hong
Dr Humphrey Leung Kwong-wai
Mr Andrew Liao Cheung-sing
Mr William Lim Ooi-lee
Mr Ma Huateng
Mr Irons Sze
Mr Eric Yim Chi-ming
Ex-officio Member
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Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Working Group on Professional Services
Convenor
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Mr Lau Ping-cheung
Non-official Members (8)
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Ir Dr Andrew Chan Ka-ching
Mr Stephen Lai Yuk-fai
Mr Nelson Lam Chi-yuen
Mr Dominic Lam Kwong-ki
Professor Dennis Lam Shun-chiu
Dr Sigmund Leung Sai-man
Ms Elaine Lo Yuen-man
Dr Maurice Ngai Wai-fung
Ex-officio Member
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Secretary for Development
Ends/Thursday, January 17, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:15
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