Asia Pacific markets remain optimistic about the economic environment in the first half of 2007, according to the latest consumer confidence survey announced here Wednesday by MasterCard Worldwide.

The survey reveals that 10 of 13 Asia Pacific markets have seen an improvement in their consumer confidence levels from half a year ago. Hong Kong is the second most optimistic market, behind Vietnam and followed by Singapore and Chinese Mainland.

"The number of IPO listings in Hong Kong is at a record high. Hong Kong will continue to benefit from its structural shift towards center for trade financing and investment financing.

"With this shift benefiting the professional and skilled workforce and tourism benefiting the lowly-skilled workforce, Hong Kong's economy will continue to expand and grow," said economic advisor Yuwa Hedrick-Wong of Asia Pacific, MasterCard Worldwide.

Hong Kong's outlook on four of the five economic variables is strongly optimistic, led by the economy and employment, followed by regular income and quality of life. If not for sentiments on the stock market, Hong Kong's overall score would have been even higher, said Hedrick-Wong.

In its 14th year, the six-monthly survey analyzes prevailing consumer perceptions of economic conditions for the half year period ahead. Employment, economy, regular income, stock market and quality of life.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2007)