HK's Position as Int'l Financial Center a Top Priority

Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Antony Leung said Tuesday that one of his top priorities is to further develop Hong Kong's position as an international financial center.

"To this end, Hong Kong must maintain a fair and effective regulatory regime and an efficient market infrastructure," Leung said during a familiarization visit to the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).

Leung praised the SFC for playing "an important role in supporting the continued development of Hong Kong's securities and futures markets by ensuring that they are open, fair, efficient, transparent and meet international standards."

"Also, the government, the SFC, the HKEx, the securities industry, as well as the business sector must work closely together on market development issues," he said,

Leung pledged to pay particular attention to "leveraging the growing economic strength of the mainland, as well as promoting the interest of retail investors."

He noted that the government and the SFC were working intensively with the Legislative Council's Bills Committee on the Securities and Futures Bill, which seeks to enhance investors protection and market development.

"We shall continue to accord top priority to facilitate legislators' deliberations to ensure early enactment of this important piece of legislation," he said.






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