Hong Kong could play a key role in the development of the country's eastern, central and western parts as proposed in the country's Eleventh Five-Year Plan, Chief Executive Donald Tsang said yesterday.

Besides, the pan-Pearl River Delta region could contribute significantly towards the planned formation of the free trade zone between the Chinese mainland and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Tsang was addressing the third Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation and Development Forum, which ended yesterday, in Kunming, Yunnan Province.

He pointed out that the 11th Five-Year plan had put forward the blueprint for development of eastern, central and western parts of the mainland, and Hong Kong was well positioned to play an active role in this grand scheme.

To foster the development and international competitiveness of the eastern provinces, he suggested, Hong Kong could provide capital through direct investment and help them raise funds in the SAR through listing in stock market.

The SAR could also provide professional support with the advantage of its profound experience and global network, and help link up the eastern provinces with neighbouring areas by virtue of the SAR's advantage as a logistic and shipping centre.

As for Central China, which aims for industrialization and urbanization and further opening up, investments from Hong Kong could help the region achieve this purpose. To that end, the CE said, he would visit Changsha, capital of Hunan Province in September and take part in a trade expo there.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)