A French trade official said here Monday that it was a miracle that Hong Kong had achieved such high economic growth despite the fact that the city is a developed economy.

"We have to look on, and study to find the key of Hong Kong's success," said Herv Novelli, French minister of State responsible for Businesses and Foreign Trade, who is here on an official visit.

Hong Kong witnessed a 7 percent economic growth on the average over the past three years.

The French official said that such high growth is more often seen in developing countries, adding that he hoped to find out the secret of Hong Kong's success and implement it in France.

There are more than 600 French companies in Hong Kong, and Novelli said he hoped more and more French companies will come to Hong Kong to do business.

On Monday morning, Novelli held bilateral talks with Frederick Ma Si-hang, secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, discussing economic and trade issues of common concern.

Novelli will leave for Macao on Monday. He is scheduled to meet Edmund HO, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, and officially launch the French-Macao Business Association.