Hong Kong's role as the foremost trade and business platform in the Asia Pacific is set to grow enormously with the mainland's entry to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), said Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations worldwide Maxwell Brotman. He was speaking at the Hong Kong Forum, held for the second year at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. (full story)

China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the successful outcome of the Doha Ministerial Meeting will add new momentum to the further liberalisation of trade and services, promote closer economic interdependence among economies, and speed up the process of globalisation, said Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa at the opening ceremony of the 14th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council (PECC). (full story)

The Netherlands is the second largest investor in Hong Kong as Dutch companies continue to use Hong Kong as their platform to the Asia-Pacific and the burgeoning mainland market, according to the Dutch Consul-General in Hong Kong, Jochum Haakma. (full story)

The Airport Authority (AA) has announced a master plan designed to further develop Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) at Chek Lap Kok as Asia’s premier trade transport hub and reinforce its role as the gateway to southern China. (full story)