People are correct when they say that comparing Singapore and Hong Kong is like comparing apples and oranges. Singapore's system and society are very different from those of Hong Kong. But are there things we can learn from the city-state? To find out the answer, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce recently sent a 30-person delegation to Singapore, to try to understand the economic policy and situation there, to see what business opportunities exist, and to look at the role of the government there concerning the business community.

The delegates came from the technology, property, manufacturing, retail, investment, media, academic, and consulting sectors, and had access to all Singapore's senior leaders. And we found that there are, indeed, lessons to be learned.

At the same time, we also found a willingness to re-examine and re-evaluate policies, and readjust them and reset goals if needed. Finally, the marketing and image-building of its vision is very effective internally and externally.

It means we have to be responsive, as well as self-confident. We have to be careful how we explain policies and how we implement them. We should not underestimate the ability of Hong Kong people to rally together, even in tough times.

It is widely accepted here that we can be a logistics hub for China, an international financial centre, a tourist destination, and a services bridge between China and the outside world. We do not need an industrial policy. But we do need to nurture the businesses in sectors that help our positioning.

When it comes to information technology (IT), Singapore places heavy emphasis on education and research. It knows that it has to attract talent from all over the world. Hong Kong is pushing ahead with much needed education reform and is now finally trying to attract mainland talent in IT and financial services.

But we should be bolder. We need to open up more to all talent in all sectors from all places, and we need to impress upon our population that this would create more jobs.

Singapore, despite its deteriorating economy, is still doing everything it can to import talent because it understands that this has a multiplying effect as far as job creation is concerned. It even goes so far as not giving Singaporeans priority in the hunt for jobs. We should not do that here, as Hong Kong people should have first priority, but we can be more aggressive in attracting talent from everywhere in the world, especially from the mainland.

It is clear, having spoken to the Singaporean leaders, that they envy our position and worry about their own future now China's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been approved.

To develop that, our government must act faster in devising policies that enhance our economic integration with the mainland. For example, 24-hour border crossing which no doubt would cause some short-term pain to a small segment of society -- should not be viewed as a long-term goal but as an urgent goal.

We in the business community believe our government should be more proactive.