5.
Mr Yuen said that the port is Hong Kong's only natural resources, apart from its people, and the two together have made us one of the most successful economies in the world. Hong Kong owes its existence to the port and the port remains one of the most important service sectors of our economy.
He said: "We must continue to develop our strength and develop our port if Hong Kong is to continue to grow and prosper. The study would take into account changing world and regional economic conditions, new trends in cargo movement and competing port developments in the region.
"The fact that we appoint a consultant to assist us is to stress the importance we attach to professionalism and impartiality in undertaking the study. The port and shipping industry will be fully consulted in the study. We will also make use of the opportunity to obtain and exchange information with port authorities in China and in the region to share our views on market projections and new port developments and to assess their implications for our future port development plans. The forecasts would be used to determine the territory's long-term need for new container terminals and other cargo handling facilities to meet demand."
year.
The study, which starts today, is expected to be completed by the end of the
End
WSD's meter testing laboratory awarded accreditation
The Meter Testing Laboratory of the Water Supplies Department has formally been accepted by the Hong Kong Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) as an accredited laboratory in recognition of its competence to carry out water meter tests.
"The accreditation is a big step forward to accomplish the department's vision and mission in the provision of quality services to six million Hong Kong people," the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Hu Man-shiu said today (Wednesday).
Speaking at the celebration ceremony held at the Lung Cheung Road Mechanical and Electrical Workshop where the laboratory was located, Mr Hu said: "It is a driving force for every body in the department to conduct and maintain an ever-improving quality assurance system in the water meter testing and hence further enhance our consumers' confidence in our services."