30 January 2004

Mr Henry Tang Ying Yen, GBS, JP
Financial Secretary
12/F., West Wing
Central Government Offices
Lower Albert Road
Hong Kong


Dear Henry,

Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

I write to draw your attention to the fact that the engineering sector is yet to benefit from the CEPA despite its conclusion for more than 6 months and its implementation since the start of this year. 

As you may be aware, the thresholds as stipulated in the CEPA for Hong Kong engineering companies to set up business in the Mainland are set too high while the mutual recognition of engineering qualifications between the Mainland and Hong Kong has not yet been agreed. 

In the past few months, I have made trips to Beijing to seek the help of the Central Government in resolving the problems. Among other suggestions, I urged the Central Government to allow Registered Professional Engineers (RPEs) of Hong Kong to be qualified automatically as “construction supervising engineers” and “engineering project managers” under the Mainland system as an interim measure before the final conclusion of mutual recognition of engineering qualifications. This proposal was discussed in the engineering sector and a preliminary implementation plan has been worked out. I would be very pleased if I could be of further assistance in implementing this proposal.

As the engineering sector in Hong Kong is experiencing a very high unemployment rate of over 20%, the HKSAR government should take up the matter with the Central Government at the top level with a view to expedite the conclusion of mutual recognition of engineering qualifications and lower the thresholds for Hong Kong companies interested in entering the Mainland market.

With best wishes,



(signed)
Ir Dr the Honourable Raymond Ho Chung-tai



RH/fw