17
Wednesday, March 13, 1974
DC & I NEEDS UPGRADING SAYS MR. Q.W. LEE
The Hon. Lee Quo-wei today called for greater government involvement
to assist in the further growth of Hong Kong's economy.
To this end he suggested that the Department of Commerce and
Industry, which has been playing a vital role in protecting our access to
world markets and industrial output, be strengthened.
He said it was time to look into its staff resources, especially
at the senior level, to meet successfully the many tasks and challenges in
the years ahead.
:
Mr. Lee believed that the post of the head of the Commerce and
Industry Department should be upgraded to Secretary level, in line with his
counterparts in other countries whose economy depended so heavily on external
trade and industry like Hong Kong.
On the long term planning of social and economic development, Mr.
Lee said: "Our problem should best be tackled by an outward looking expansionist
economic policy supported by a much increased government effort and involvement.
"This should be in concert with the best brains available in the
private sector, channelled into a system of consultation, advice and action."
He recalled that for many years the Hon. Wilfred Wong had proposed
some kind of a mechanism whereby economic planning could be studied and
discussed for recommendation to the government.
In the present circumstances, he said, the government should at
least take a new look at this matter.
/Turning to