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Following is a question by the Hon Ma Lik and the written reply by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Joseph W P Wong, in the Legislative Council today (March 29):
Question:
Since its last meeting in November 2004, the Chief Executive's Council of International Advisers (CECIA) established by the former Chief Executive has not held any further meeting. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether the CECIA has ceased to operate; if so, of the reasons for that; and
(b) if the CECIA has not ceased to operate, its work since the last meeting, its future work plans, whether there are changes in its composition, and whether the authorities expect a change of the role it plays; if so, of the details?
Reply:
Madam President,
The Chief Executive's Council of International Advisers (CECIA) was established in 1998 to advise the Chief Executive from an international perspective on strategic issues pertinent to the long-term development of Hong Kong. The CECIA is chaired by the Chief Executive and comprises 16 non-official members, all of whom are prominent international business and corporate leaders. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Financial Secretary, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, and Head of the Central Policy Unit are ex-officio members of the CECIA.
My reply to the two parts of the question is as follows:
(a) The CECIA has not ceased to operate.
(b) We are reviewing, inter alia, the functions and mode of operation of the CECIA, with a view to better utilising the valuable experience of the international advisers and creating more room for them to render advice on strategic issues pertinent to the long-term development of Hong Kong. We shall also seek the views of the international advisers.
Ends/Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:08
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