Legislators highlighted deepening integration with the Greater Bay Area (GBA) during their debate in Legco on Thursday on the city's first five-year plan and the Policy Address.

Kingsley Wong from the Federation of Trade Unions called on the government to expand the use of healthcare vouchers to more places in the GBA where some Hongkongers live.

“While ensuring healthcare quality, priority should be given to areas where many Hong Kong residents settle in,” he said.

“At the same time, I suggested relaxing the scope of usage for healthcare vouchers to cover low-risk medical examinations such as colonoscopy and gastroscopy.”

Election Committee legislator Thomas So said the SAR should seek support from the central and provincial governments to expand preferential policies for Hong Kong enterprises in the GBA, in a bid to raise the city's appeal for foreign firms.

Commercial sector lawmaker Jonathan Lamport voiced support for the government’s plan to look into the possibility of setting up an Economic and Trade Office in Kazakhstan.

“In fact, Kazakhstan has already established a solid foundation for cooperation with the mainland and the GBA," he said.

"If Hong Kong can enter the market with its unique institutional advantages and professional experience, it can form strong synergy with the mainland to open up a new economic and trade battlefield.”



Edited by Edmond Fong