Hong Kong is proud to present the World Services Congress 2001, an important international forum to explore issues affecting the future development of the global service economy.

The industrial revolution in the eighteenth century has brought unprecedented growth in the world’s economic development. Now, at the beginning of a new millennium, the New Economy is taking shape. Leveraging the rapid advancement in information and communications technology, services will be an essential force to take the global economy for another quantum leap. The continued globalization and liberalization of services will create many opportunities and challenges for business around the world. The call for new thinking on many issues. The World Services Congress 2001, the first international forum of its kind in the new millennium, will address public and private service sector issues related to the development of a global service economy. It presents a good opportunity for us to collaborate on issues that will shape the future prosperity of the world.

Hong Kong is the premier services centre in Asia. With a services sector accounting for 85% of our GDP, the freest economy in the world, and our position as the gateway to the Mainland of China where the ongoing liberalization of its service industries presents huge opportunities for businessmen around the world, Hong Kong is best placed to host the first World Services Congress in the new millennium.

Please join us and participate in the World Services Congress 2001. We look forward to welcoming you in Hong Kong.

TUNG Chee Hwa
Chief Executive