A central China city will launch a "Hong Kong week" to promote all-around cooperation and exchanges between Honk Kong and inland cities, said a Hong Kong government official here over the weekends.

"This Hong Kong week is scheduled for November 30 to December 6 this year in Wuhan City of central China's Hubei Province," said Nie Dequan, deputy director with the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing.

It is the first large promotion activity to be held inland since the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) entered the third phase on November 18 this year, said Nie.

During the Hong Kong week, large expositions will be staged showing the latest products and technologies from Hong Kong. Other activities include inspections and conferences concerning laws, services and tourism.

The rapid growth of trade and economic cooperation between Hong Kong and Hubei Province have made Hong Kong the province's third trading partner with its trade hitting 587 million US dollars in 2004, 8.7 percent of the province's total.

"Hong Kong and Hubei enjoy great potential for economic cooperation. The "Hong Kong week" will help to develop the central and western markets and give a boost to both sides' businesses," said Luo Xinhua, head with the Hong Kong and Macao affairs office of Hubei Province.

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2005)