Speech by Dr. C. W. Chuang, President of
the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong at the Opening Ceremony of the 28th Exhibition of Hong Kong Products
at Wanchai Reclamation, Hong Kong
on Wednesday, 9th December 1970
Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the opening ceremony of the 25th CMA Exhibition in 1967, His Excellency Sir David Trench said that the CMA Exhibition re-focussed our attention each year on Hong Kong. Indeed, the rapid political and economic changes that are taking place today in the world with far-reaching consequences should direct our attention to gome of the pressing problems at home. Your presence here today is evidence of the concern you have over Hong Kong industry. I should therefore like to thank Your Excellency for graciously officiating at this opening ceremony, and our honoured guests for their prescnce.
We in industry and commerce feel that Hong Kong is facing a greater number of challenges today than ever before. I refer to the rising costs at home, the imminent passage into law of the United States Mills Bill, the probable loss of Commonwealth Preference for our exports to Britain, and the uncertainties of Hong Kong's status in the UNCTAD Generalized Preferences Schemes. Each of these will have a significant bearing on Hong Kong. We feel that it is important that the community be kept in touch with the process of these developments and be prepared for any even- tuality. Meanwhile, we are gratified to know that negotiations on these vital issues are in competent hands.
PRODUCTIVITY
Your Excellency recently pointed out that the expansion of trade and our standard of living was going to depend more and more on improving our productivity, and on the quality of our management. Indeed, if we care to glance at the world today, it will be scen that, in those countries where there is serious poverty there is usually also low productivity. That 1970 should have been made the Asian Productivity Year (APY), is also of significance. Productivity thus being the keynote, it would be pertinent to examino its impe- ratives and its implications for Hong Kong. The following would
seem evident:
1. Manpower Development:
An educated and trained workforce is essential for high productivity and for a continuous development. Our present shortage of skilled labour and rapidly rising wages has not only begun to threaten our ability to compete overseas but are preventing our building up a broader base in our industries. In an export-oriented economy, the CMA believes that industrial and technical training at various levels call for the support and understanding of the whole community, and that Government must assume leadership and organisational responsibility. The Industrial Training Advisory Committee (ITAC) has made valuable contributions in pinpointing our training needs and recommending provision
1
/of facilities.
Page 105Page 106