The event, which followed similar successful gatherings in Thailand and Malaysia, was co-hosted by the Force and the Australian Federal Police.

The theme of the working group was "From Co-operation to Coalition: Building Effective and Multi-Jurisdiction Intelligence Sharing", and its stated objectives, set before the delegates' arrival, included development of a regional criminal intelligence capability, initiation of joint strategic criminal intelligence projects and enhancement of understanding of the operating environment of regional counterparts.

Commissioner Lee Ming-kwai and Dr Grant Wardlaw, the National Manager of Intelligence of the Australian Federal Police, presided over the opening ceremony.

In his opening address, Mr Lee highlighted the dangers that trans-national criminals pose to society and described the pivotal role that intelligence agencies play in combating the dangers. He also stressed the importance of intelligence led policing, strategic thinking and closer co-operation between law enforcement agencies in Asia and the rest of the world.

In his speech, Dr Wardlaw shared the sentiments of the Commissioner and stressed the need for participating agencies to continue developing and refining relationships, as well as the need to share experience, skills and resources. He further emphasised the need to develop new intelligence and investigative methods to keep pace with criminals' challenges that are emerging.

During the subsequent three-day working group meeting, a number of presentations on strategic intelligence were given by the Singapore Police Force, National Police Agency of Japan, Australian Federal Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Interpol General Secretariat and the Force. In addition, several workshops were also held to help develop the way forward in pursuance of the working group's objectives.

Chief Superintendent Ng Sai-kuen of Criminal Intelligence Bureau, who together with Australian Federal Police representatives was responsible for organising the working group, gave a presentation on strategic intelligence products. He considered the working group a great success, having enhanced delegates' knowledge of each other's intelligence capabilities and opened the door for greater co-operation among member agencies on issues of mutual concern.

At the conclusion of an intensive three-day exchange, Ian Houghton of the Australian Federal Police's Intelligence Unit summarised what the working group had achieved and the broad agreements that had been reached. In some areas, development needs and projects were identified. These will be taken forward and the results will be reviewed at the next working group meeting provisionally agreed to be held in Singapore in 2005.

Commissioner Lee Ming-Kwai pictured with the delegates

Dr Wardlaw, National Manager of Intelligence of the AFP, addressing the working group