The government said Monday it has concluded talks with the Walt Disney Co. about building a theme park here, and an official said the two sides had reached a deal.

Disney and Hong Kong wouldn't confirm they had reached a deal on the project.

Hong Kong officials hope a Disney park can improve the battered economy, first by creating construction jobs and later by attracting more tourists. Hong Kong would join Paris and Tokyo as Disney locations outside the United States.

Hong Kong's top government spokesman, Stephen Lam, said the talks had wrapped up, following Sunday's deadline, and that Hong Kong officials planned ``a series of briefings'' for Tuesday. Lam declined by telephone to provide any details.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that an agreement had been reached and Disney executives were expected at Tuesday's briefings.

No one was immediately available for comment at Disney's office in Hong Kong, according to a woman who answered the phone.

Several Chinese-language newspapers reported today that the government and Disney had struck a deal that would involve a $2.6 billion government investment.

Talks on the project were extended in July, when negotiators were unable to agree on financial terms.

The government has hoped a deal with Disney, based in Burbank, Calif., would boost the economy, which was badly bruised by Asia's financial crisis.