*****************************
Following is the transcript of a media session by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, after attending the luncheon of the HKIA 2025 Summit today (February 28) (English portion):
Reporter: Can you tell us about the number of submissions received on the consultation on the future electricity market and also the satisfaction of the two power companies towards the consultation....?
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour: So far we have received about a hundred submissions. We of course expect to receive more because the consultation period will not end until March 31. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage members of the public to let us have their views on the future direction of our electricity market.
We have a good working relationship with the two power companies. Certainly we will continue to listen to them and the others, of course. Recently we had a motion debate in the Legislative Council (Legco). We are fully aware of Legco members' views on the electricity market. We have also made very clear in our consultation document that reliability of power supply is very important. It is equally important to make sure that electricity tariffs will be lower. On the environmental side, we expect the two power companies to do more to reduce emissions. It is also our aim to open up the electricity market in the near future.
Reporter: What is the timetable for the airport privatisation?
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour: I don't think we have any firm timetable at this point in time.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion)
Ends/Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:47
NNNN
