CHAMBER WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF
NEW CHIEF SECRETARY, FINANCIAL SECRETARY

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce believes that the appointment of the Honourable Donald Tsang Yam-kuen as Chief Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government ensures there will be a steady and uniquely experienced hand at the top of the Civil Service.

Today's confirmation of his appointment by the SAR Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee-hwa, is reassuring at a time when there are many economic and social challenges ahead for the SAR Administration.

The Chamber Director, Dr Eden Woon, said that Mr Donald Tsang's appointment as Chief Secretary and, therefore, Civil Service head, should ensure continuity in the SAR Administration, the maintenance of morale of the Civil Service, and the international reputation of the Hong Kong SAR for sound governance. Dr Woon said that the Chamber looks forward to working with Mr Tsang well into the future.

The Chamber also welcomes the news that Mr Antony Leung will replace Mr Tsang as Financial Secretary. The Chamber believes that Mr Leung's international banking and financial services experiences should stand him in good stead in his new role as SAR Financial Secretary.

Dr. Woon said: "Mr. Leung's tenure on Mr Tung Chee-hwa's Executive Council for more than three years would also have helped equip him for his new role, giving him an insider's understanding of how the Administration works and current policy issues, while at the same time he is bringing to the new job other useful perspectives from the private sector. We hope to be able to work with him closely on economic issues which affect all of us. "

For further information, contact Dr Eden Woon on 2823-1211.