XN000022-1980-07-31 — Page 5

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1980

NEW TELEPHONE SYSTEM FOR TICD

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A MODERN PABX SYSTEM AT THE OCEAN CENTRE OFFICES OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 5) TO REPLACE THE EXISTING TELEPHONE SYSTEM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE SYSTEM IS EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT-DIALLING-IN FACILITIES, BY DIALLING 3-7222 PLUS A THREE-FIGURE EXTENSION NUMBER A CALLER CAN MAKE DIRECT CONTACT WITH DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS, WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH A TELEPHONE OPERATOR.

+UNTIL THE INDIVIDUAL EXTENSION NUMBERS ARE KNOWN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, A SPECIAL NUMBER 3-7222333 --HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR SIX MONTHS, OPERATORS ON THIS NUMBER WILL GIVE CALLERS THE EXTENSION NUMBER THEY REQUIRE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

LEAFLETS CONTAINING THE EXTENSION NUMBERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO IMPORT AND EXPORT FIRMS AND ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAVE FREQUENT DEALINGS WITH THE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT'S GROUND FLOOR RECEPTION COUNTER, OCEAN CENTRE OFFICES.

THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO WILL, FOR ONE MONTH, INTERCEPT ALL CALLS TO THE OLD NUMBERS, AND ADVISE CALLERS THAT 3-7222333 IS THE DEPARTMENT'S GENERAL ENQUIRY NUMBER.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

FURTHER TO THE PRESS RELEASE ON THE TICD'S NEW TELEPHONE SYSTEM, WOULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE YOUR EDITORIAL STAFF THAT THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION ARE : 3-7222225 (PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER, MR JACK HAND)= 3-7222226 (INFORMATION OFFICER, MRS REBEKAH WONG)- AND 3-7222227 (ASSISTANT INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS JENNIFER IP).

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