Top priority: The Financial Secretary Antony Leung said the number one task of Hong Kong is to contain the spread of SARS.

The economic relaunch strategy group has agreed that economic recovery should take place in three phases. First, the spread of SARS must be contained. Then local and international confidence in Hong Kong must be restored. Finally, Hong Kong can look forward to economic recovery.

The group's chairman Antony Leung said a premature relaunch would be a waste of resources.

During their first meeting this morning, members also agreed that communication with the international community is critical in all phases. 

While there is still room for improvement in this aspect, Hong Kong has retained an international public relations firm experienced in crisis management to improve the Government's communications.

Mr Leung stressed that there is no timetable as yet for an economic relaunch. However, the group will devise such a plan as soon as possible. 

He said economic recovery is the responsibility of the whole community and appealed to all sectors to submit their suggestions to the committee for study.