The award of the 2008 Olympic Games to Beijing was widely greeted in Hong Kong with a mixture of national pride and an eye to the opportunities it offers. Hong Kong's major developers and professional service providers will be keen to become involved, while the tourism sector foresees many opportunities to boost travel to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Chairman Selina Chow said the HKTB would work actively with trade partners to develop timely and suitable packages that could attract travellers to stop over in Hong Kong on their way to Beijing for the Olympics. "We intend to strengthen our publicity efforts and maximise this wonderful opportunity to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the international market," Mrs Chow pledged.

With China's imminent accession to the World Trade Organisation, Hong Kong has been looking at investment opportunities in the developing western region. Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang visited the region in May at the head of Hong Kong's biggest-ever business mission to the Mainland. The 200-strong delegation of business leaders, senior government officials and trade promoters spent 10 days touring Xian, Beijing, Chengdu and Urumqi, meeting leaders of regional governments and assessing business prospects.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is undertaking a number of follow-up projects to ensure the momentum is maintained.

The XIIth Congress this year is being split between Hong Kong (5-8 November at the HKCEC) and Beijing (9-10 November). Held every two years, the Congress addresses contemporary strategies, innovative approaches, new principles and best practices in productivity development with a view to enhance competitiveness.

The keynote speaker in Hong Kong will be former US President George H. W. Bush, former Philippines President Fidel Ramos and former Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi who is Director-General Designate of the WTO.