Panama's Vice Minister of Commerce Meliton Alejandro Arrocha Ruiz visited the Chamber on June 13 and was received by the Chamber's Americas Committee Chairman H Y Hung. The minister was especially interested in learning more about how Hong Kong was positioning itself in a post-WTO China. Director-General of Panama's Economic-Commercial Office in Hong Kong Juan Pablo Pereira also attended the meeting.

Barrie Cook was elected chairman of the Asia/Africa Committee at its June 5 meeting, replacing Deborah Annells. Manohar Chugh, K L Tam and Neville Shroff were elected vice chairmen. The meeting was followed by a roundtable luncheon at which Dr Tan Khee Giap (photo), head of AESEAN Economies Monitoring Unit, Nanyang Business School, compared how Hong Kong and Singapore were restructuring their economies.
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Deputy Mayor of Jiujiang Feng Jing called on the Chamber on May 21 and was received by Eva Chow, chief of International Business. Mr Feng, who was in Hong Kong for the 2002 Jiangxi (Hong Kong) Fair for International Investment & Tourism, asked the Chamber to help promote Jiujiang to members.

Zhang Xiaoji, director-general, Research Department of Foreign Economic Relations of Development Research Center of the State Council of PRC, called on the Chamber on May 22, and was met by Chamber Director Dr Eden Woon. Mr Zhang said the center was interested in fostering closer cooperation with the Chamber.

Danny Po, senior manager of China Tax Division from PricewaterhouseCoopers Hong Kong, explained at a Chamber May 23 roundtable luncheon why he believes mergers and acquisitions are effective ways to penetrate the China market. He also gave advice on how members should plan for M&As, and shared case studies.
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Li Yanmeng, director, Infrastructure Industry of the State Development and Planning Commission (SCPC) called on the Chamber on May 23. Dr Eden Woon, Chamber director, briefed him on the current economic situation in Hong Kong, the development of Hong Kong's service industries and the CEPA consultation. Mr Li said the infrastructure development sector in China is undergoing restructuring.

Stanley Hui was re-elected Chairman of the China Committee at its meeting on May 31. Jeffrey Lam, David Lie and Wang Lu-yen were elected vice chairmen of the committee. At the meeting, the committee also discussed the progress of the Mainland/Hong Kong CEPA consultation and the impact on the proposed Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgement (REJ) in Commercial Matters between the HKSAR and the Mainland.

Peter Leung, head of the Hong Kong SAR Government Guangzhou Economic and Trade Office, called on Christopher Cheng, Chamber chairman, and Dr Eden Woon, Chamber director, on June 3. Mr Leung introduced the work of the Guangzhou ETO, which will officially open in mid-July, and invited to Chamber to work closely with his office.

The Danish Consulate General in Hong Kong and the Chamber co-organised a seminar on May 23 to promote investment in Denmark. The seminar, entitled "Denmark -- The Gateway to the New Northern Europe," attracted over 50 local businesspeople, who listened to speakers talk about Denmark's expertise in logistics and bluetooth industries.

Angus Forsyth (left) and Yvonne Chia (centre), of IT Practice Group, Stevenson, Wong & Co., explained at the Chamber's June 3 roundtable luncheon how businesses can leverage Service Level Agreements to move ahead in the intensifying battle to differentiate themselves from and to outlast competitors.
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The Environment Committee's position paper on landfill charges was endorsed by the General Committee on May 23 and submitted to the government.

The Chamber and four leading universities in Hong Kong are organising the University Student Innovative Business Contest, with the Business and Services Promotion Unit being a supporting organisation. An organising committee for the contest was established and held its first meeting on May 22.

Sheila Lee, general manager, MYOB Hong Kong Ltd, explained to members at the Chamber's June 13 roundtable luncheon how SMEs can benefit from using accounting software and the criteria for selecting a suitable package for their business.
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HKCSI continues to be involved in the Chamber study on "Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement." In June, a number of information papers were produced and a discussion paper on rules of origin was submitted to Director General of Trade and Industry Joshua Law.

Dr Patrick Ho, chairman, Hong Kong Arts Development Council, outlined at the Chamber's May 31 roundtable luncheon how Hong Kong businesses can capitalise on the arts and culture industries to enhance their creativity and innovation.
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Following consultation with members, the Chamber submitted its response to the Privacy Commissioner on the Draft Code of Practice on Workplace Surveillance, calling for the draft to be turned into a non-binding guideline.

HKCSI Secretary General Dr WK Chan on May 17 met and discussed with Rosanna Law and Siu Lik-king of the Trade and Industry Department the progress of the services negotiation of the WTO Doha Round.