Cooper Chung International

Amid criticism for the HK body, the US city's agency cites good co-operation between the public and private sector for its own success

The beleaguered Financial Services Development Council yesterday found an unexpected ally - all the way from Chicago.

The 22-member council, a brainchild of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, was set up two weeks ago to promote the city's financial industry. It is headed by Executive Council member Laura Cha Shih May-lung.

Lawmakers have complained that the council is beyond the ambit of their scrutiny and that its functions overlap with those of other regulators and promotional bodies.

Amid the rising chorus of criticism, World Business Chicago vice-chairman Michael Sacks yesterday threw his weight behind the council.