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TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Industrial Estate was completed, providing 46.6 hectares of land. A fourth industrial estate is being planned to meet the demand in the early 21st century.
Technical Education and Industrial Training
The Vocational Training Council (VTC) provides technical education and industrial training space. In addition, it administers a New Technology Training Scheme which provides financial assistance to employers for training their staff in new technologies useful to their business. The Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) runs two training centres for clothing and footwear. The department is represented on the VTC and the CITA. Higher-level education and training are provided by the tertiary education institutions.
Technology
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967 to promote productivity improvement in industries. The Hong Kong Industrial Technology Centre Corporation (HKITCC) was established in 1993 to facilitate the promotion of technological innovation and the application of technologies in Hong Kong industries.
Through the Industrial Support Fund scheme set up in 1994, the government provides financial support to projects that contribute to Hong Kong's industrial and technological development. By August 1997, it had committed $917.90 million for 262 projects undertaken by industry associations, higher-education institutes and industrial support organisations.
Quality Services
The department's Quality Services Division provides a range of quality support services for Hong Kong industries. The Standards and Calibration Laboratory is the official custodian of Hong Kong's measurement standards. The Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme gives formal recognition to competent laboratories, thereby facilitating the acceptance of local test certificates overseas. The Product Standards Information Bureau provides information on various national and international product standards.
Applied Research and Development
Major efforts have been made to encourage applied research and development in recent years. The Applied Research and Development Scheme (ARDS) and the Co- operative Applied Research and Development Scheme (CARDS) were set up in February 1993 and June 1995 respectively to encourage technology ventures in the private sector. The latter scheme specifically supports technology projects undertaken in collaboration with research institutes in the Mainland. Funding support can take the form of a loan or equity participation. As at August 1997, funding support had been given to 19 ARDS projects and six CARDS projects in various high technology fields, including biotechnology, electronics, environmental technology, information technology, robotic engineering and telecommunication. The funding commitments made under the two schemes were $56 million and $32 million respectively.