Hong Kong to introduce new measures convenient for Taiwan visitors, tourists

HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Wednesday Hong Kong will introduce two new measures in January 2009 to provide greater convenience for frequent business visitors and tourists from Taiwan.

The Immigration Department of the HKSAR government will remove the restriction that limits a person to two iPermit applications within each 30-day period, and extend the limit of stay in Hong Kong from 14 days to 30 days for holders of iPermits and multiple-entry permits.

When delivering the 2008-09 Policy Address at the Legislative Council Wednesday, Tsang said the HKSAR Government is strengthening exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan.

Tsang said the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will set up an office in Taipei, with the preparatory work at its final stage.

The HKSAR government is also encouraging Hong Kong industrial and business leaders, as well as Taiwanese businessmen in Hong Kong, to form a Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Cooperation Committee. The Committee will facilitate direct communication between enterprises from both places and foster closer co-operation in areas such as trade, investment and tourism.

Tsang has appointed the Financial Secretary to head an inter- departmental steering committee, which has been examining and coordinating the overall strategy and action plan on closer economic and trade ties with Taiwan.

The 2008-09 Policy Address, entitled “Embracing New Challenges”, was Tsang’s second annual policy address since he won a second term as HKSAR Chief Executive in March 2007.