The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has selected Hong Kong to host its next Telecom World event in December 2006, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang announced Thursday.

This is the first time Telecom World will be held outside Geneva since its inception in 1971.

Henry Tang said at a press conference that the event may attract leading international telecom players and experts from thepublic and private sectors, plus heads of state, ministers, regulators and chiefs of multinational corporations.

"It is a vote of confidence in the ability of Hong Kong's exhibition, hotel, tourism and telecommunications industry to makethis event a great success," Tang said.

It is also a befitting recognition of Hong Kong's unique role as a gateway to the huge mainland telecom market which is the world's largest, he added.

"We estimate the event may attract some 100,000 overseas visitors, generating about 1.2 billion Hong Kong dollars (153.8 million US dollars)," Tang said, adding Hong Kong's hospitality and tourism industries will reap substantial benefits.

"With the full support of the Central People's Government, we are confident this mega-event will prove to be a phenomenal success for all. We will take this event to even newer heights forthe union, exhibitors and participants."

The ITU is the largest and most influential telecom organization in the world. Telecom World is the most prominent global telecom event, held every three to four years. The event comprises the Exhibition and the Forum.

The exhibition enables industry players to showcase their latest equipment, services or technologies, while the forum provides a platform for participants to debate on critical issues in policies and regulation, key technologies, business applications and environment.

Hong Kong previously hosted two of the union's regional events -Telecom Asia 2000 and Telecom Asia 2002.

Source: Xinhua