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WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
HE SAID THAT FORWARD LOOKING REVIEWS AND PROPOSALS OF LONG-TERM STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WERE DEBATED IN THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AND DECISIONS WERE IMPLEMENTED MAINLY THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND IMPROVED TARGETTING OF OUR INWARD INVESTMENT PROMOTION EFFORTS REPRESENT TWO OF THE MANY EXAMPLES OF SUCH INITIATIVES," HE EXPLAINED.
MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO PUTTING IN PLACE FACILITIES AND INSTITUTIONS WHICH WOULD ASSIST INDUSTRIALISTS IN CONTINUING TO COMPETE IN THE QUALITY-CONSCIOUS MARKETS OF EUROPE, JAPAN AND NORTH AMERICA.
HE NOTED THAT LAST
MONTH, THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME SIGNED A MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENT WITH ITS COUNTERPART IN BRITAIN.
"THIS SHOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR ACCEPTANCE OF HONG KONG-TESTED GOODS BY THE EEC,' HE SAID.
LATER THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ESTABLISH A QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY то HELP INDUSTRIALISTS MANUFACTURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY-RECOGNISED STANDARDS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT A GREAT DEAL MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO DRIVE HOME THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY; AND HENCE A QUALITY DRIVE AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY WOULD BE LAUNCHED DURING THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
NOTING THAT BETTER QUALITY, HIGHER TECHNOLOGY AND IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY WERE ALL INTERRELATED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAD BEEN DOING A LOT IN THESE AREAS AND WOULD SOON ESTABLISH A CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE.
MR JACOBS SAID HE AGREED WITH MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY GREATER ATTENTION TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND TO IMPROVE HONG KONG'S CAPABILITY IN THESE AREAS.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER TECHNOLOGY WAS A SUBJECT WHICH THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT HAD BEEN ASKED TO CONSIDER.
I ACCEPT THAT THERE IS MUCH TO BE DONE BUT WE MUST USE OUR RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY. PROJECTS MUST BE FULLY CONSIDERED IF WE ARE TO GET VALUE FOR OUR MONEY, HE SAID.
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ON THE TRADE FRONT, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO ALL IT COULD TO COUNTER PROTECTIONISM IN HONG KONG 15 OVERSEAS MARKETS.
"A CURRENT EXAMPLE CONCERNS THE RECENT SPATE OF ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS INSTITUTED BY THE EEC AGAINST A NUMBER OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS.
THE GOVERNMENT