18 Constitution and Administration
Central Policy Unit
The Central Policy Unit provides advice on policy issues to meet the special requirements of the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary and submit reports directly to them.
The unit consults widely with business and professional circles, political organisations and concern groups, and the academic community. It undertakes in-depth examinations of complex policy issues, analyses options, conducts soundings of community feedback and recommends solutions for the Government's internal consideration. It also carries out research studies on various issues in Hong Kong and the Mainland, with particular emphasis on the Pearl River Delta and the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region. The unit is responsible for coordinating the annual Policy Address exercise.
The unit also provides secretariat support to the Commission on Strategic Development. The terms of reference of the commission are to advise the Chief Executive on Hong Kong's long-term development needs and goals with particular reference to the direction and strategy of social, economic and political developments for Hong Kong.
As a follow-up to the Economic Summit held in September 2006 to discuss how Hong Kong should respond to the challenges and opportunities arising from the National 11th Five-Year Plan, the commission submitted in January 2007 to the Chief Executive an Action Agenda setting out 50 strategic directions and 207 specific actions to be taken by the Government, the business sector and the relevant public organisations. As at the end of 2007, over 110 of those specific actions had been implemented.
Efficiency Unit
The Efficiency Unit reports directly to the Chief Secretary for Administration and is tasked with pursuing public sector reform. It is an internal government agency providing management consultancy services. By combining its extensive understanding of policies, its specialised knowledge and its broad contacts and linkages throughout the Government and the private sector, the unit aims to become the preferred consulting partner of government departments. It provides strategic and implementable solutions for people-based government services.
The unit operates an integrated call centre which provides a one-stop enquiry and complaint handling service for 19 departments and a 'Youth Portal' which provides a platform for young people to access government information and services easily via the Internet. The unit advocates private sector involvement and 'citizen- centric' service design and delivery in the public sector. It also assists departments to improve their licensing processes and to develop customer management assessment initiatives.
The Civil Service
The civil service employs about 4 per cent of Hong Kong's labour force. It provides staff for all government departments and other units of the Administration.