The SAR's deputies to the National People's Congress from the DAB party said on Saturday that they will propose expanding the multi-entry visa scheme to include more cities in the Greater Bay Area, or even first-tier cities, at the Two Sessions meeting in Beijing early next month.

It was among the more than 40 suggestions the party plans to table to the meeting.

The scheme was recently restored to cover Shenzhen residents.

The party pointed out that expanding the coverage could help boost tourism development.

Starry Lee, the SAR's sole delegate to the nation's top legislature noted that it is crucial for Hong Kong to open up to new markets, and the commercial sector, in particular, should get ready to do so.

"Because they are more flexible in facing all these challenges and they are in a more capable position to open up new markets. Therefore I hope that different chambers and trade associations can join hands together to open up more new markets," she said.

"In return, if we have more new markets, we can also bring more talent, investment and technology to our country."

Lee said she will also propose that the central government set up a "housing purchase fund" to help talents from the mainland to settle in the SAR.