Saturday, June 12, 1976
6-
"There now seems little doubt that, barring unforeseen
accidents in the world, the growth in the Hong Kong economy this
year will be greater than that forecast earlier in the year at the
time the Financial Secretary was preparing his Budget. We forecast
that our economy would expand by some 9% in real terms in 1976. We
can now expect something significantly better. Given this prospect
and the expansion in Government revenue that should go with it, the
prospects for progress in our social programmes are good. I repeat that
the fruits of economic growth must be made available to all our people,
while ensuring that the engine of growth, the economy, remains profitable
to management and labour, attractive to investors, in good running
order and able to deliver the goods. This is the Hong Kong philosophy.
It is not based on any political theory, but is pragmatically directed
to balancing the greatest reasonable liberty for the reward of private
initiative with the progress and welfare of the community as a whole.
"So these gentlemen are the aims of the community your company
has joined in which you are so welcome and have so much to contribute,
and to whose welfare your standards of construction and technique have
shown such scrupulous regard. You will find it open-hearted and stimulating,
and you will know the excitement of this city and its industry growing
up around you.
"I wish you all possible success and have great pleasure in
declaring this plant open."