Professional bodies hold scant hope of gaining more access to mainland services
Professional bodies in Hong Kong are not expecting too much when they meet mainland officials next week to discuss how to gain easier access to service industries across the border.
They hope to secure details on the recognition of qualifications among professionals, and to lower the entry thresholds for those looking to launch or expand their businesses on the mainland under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Cepa).
Under the free-trade pact, which has been in effect since the start of the year, 18 service industries on the mainland were opened to Hong Kong professionals.
A delegation led by Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen and including the Hong Kong Medical Association, Hong Kong Bar Association and Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, will hold talks with mainland officials in Beijing on February 17.
Lau Ping-cheung, an independent who represents the surveying sector in the legislature, said he did not expect much from the meeting.
