FSTB to hold Pan-PRD financial services forum this month
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    Over 300 officials from provinces/regions of the Pan-Pearl River Delta (Pan-PRD) area and the  Central People's Government agencies, entrepreneurs and key players in the financial services sector will take part in a Pan-PRD financial services forum in Hong Kong organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau on March 23.

     The financial services forum, to be opened by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, aims to promote regional co-operation of the Pan-PRD Region.  The forum was announced by the Chief Executive last July in Chengdu at the 2nd Pan-PRD Annual Forum and received support from the participating provinces/regions.
 
     Financial services experts from international and local corporations and organisations will share their views and insights with participants during the panel discussions of the forum on various areas which cover equity market financing, private equity investment, asset management and bond financing.  

     Following the opening address by Mr Tsang in the morning, there will be keynote speeches by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Joseph Yam, and Managing Director of CITIC Pacific Limited and Executive Council Member, Mr Henry Fan.   Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) and Executive Council Member, Mr Charles Lee, will address the forum's luncheon meeting.

     The HKEx will also conduct "Information and Consultation Symposium on Listing in Hong Kong" for forum participants from the Mainland.

     The Pan-PRD regional co-operation was launched in 2004. The regional co-operation presents immense opportunities for the provinces/regions which have total population and gross domestic product accounting for one-third of the national total.

     The Pan-PRD region, also known as "9+2", involves nine provinces/region including Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions.

Ends/Monday, March 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:53

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