Hong Kong business executives' views will be relayed to Mainland authorities in the next phase of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement consultations, Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang says, as the Government is concerned about the difficulties such investors encounter.

Mr Tsang told legislators today Hong Kong business executives still encounter difficulties, systemic or regulatory, when setting up businesses on the Mainland.

"It is also understandable they look forward to further improvement in the Mainland business environment as well as the deepening and widening of liberalisation measures under CEPA," he said.

In a study on the impact of CEPA on the Hong Kong economy, the Government has collected the trade's views on this issue. They would welcome improvement in the regulatory environment of the Mainland market, and the deepening and widening of liberalisation measures under CEPA.

Certain professional services were concerned about the difficulties for Hong Kong firms to meet Mainland rules on setting up business and the variations of such rules across provinces and cities.

The Government attaches great importance to these views and has been following them up with Mainland authorities, Mr Tsang said, welcoming more feedback and suggestions.