Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah (second left) speaks at a plenary session during the 34th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, United States, Nov 14, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau highlighted the importance of leveraging the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as a platform for co-operation on supply chain connectivity and digital economy.

Yau was speaking at a plenary session themed "Enabling an innovative environment for a sustainable future and affirming an equitable and inclusive future for all" of the 34th APEC Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, the United States, on Tuesday.

Yau said that APEC should further strengthen co-operation on supply chain connectivity to promote economic resilience against future shocks, according to a government press release issued on Wednesday morning.  

Noting that APEC should also advance real and practical co-operation to embrace digital economy as a new driving force for inclusive growth, Yau called for accelerating implementation of the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap in a comprehensive manner, with bridging the digital divide at the top of APEC's digital agenda.

He also outlined Hong Kong's measures to ramp up support to empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and groups with untapped economic potential to leverage the digital economy, including implementation of a HK$500 million (US$64 million) Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme, among other initiatives.

"By enhancing policy dialogues and workshops and sharing best practices, we could help business of all sizes, especially MSMEs, seize the immense opportunities of the digital economy," he added.

APEC has adopted the theme "Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All" this year.