Financial Secretary Paul Chan will depart for a visit to Malaysia and Singapore on March 26, seeking to forge closer financial and commercial ties between Hong Kong and the two countries, as well as promote Hong Kong's latest economic and financial developments.

He will call on senior government officials and business leaders to introduce to them the vast business opportunities offered by Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as he visits Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from March 26 to March 28.

He will also tour a number of enterprises and give a keynote speech during a discussion at the University of Malaya.

The Financial Secretary will depart for Singapore on the evening of March 28. During his stay in the city-state from March 28 to 30, he will call on senior government officials and business leaders and meet representatives of enterprises.

Mr Chan also plans to take part in a number of exchange sessions and seminars, including speaking at a talk at the National University of Singapore and giving a keynote address at a thematic conference organised by the South China Morning Post.

He will return to Hong Kong on the evening of March 30. During his absence, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will be Acting Financial Secretary.