Negotiations to attract a Walt Disney theme park will be the first priority of the new Commissioner for Tourism.
As chief of the Government's Business and Promotion Unit, Mike Rowse headed talks with Disney executives to set up a theme park.
He said he would initially be devoting a lot of time to the project in his new position.
'I'm taking Disney talks with me,' said Mr Rowse, who announced he would take the job yesterday.
'They are at a very intensive stage. We want to reach a deal that's mutually acceptable.' He said the company would be 'an even better one' with a Hong Kong venue, but that Hong Kong would still be a great tourist attraction without Disney.
The company would want its royalties in a convertible currency, and few currency restrictions, he said, which gave Hong Kong an advantage over other locations bidding for a theme park. Mr Rowse refused to be drawn on whether the deal would be finalised by June 30 as expected.
