XN000022-1981-02-18 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1981

SURVEYS ON SERVICES INDUSTRY

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STARTING IN APRIL THIS YEAR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL UNDERTAKE A BENCHMARK ECONOMIC SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES ESTABLISHMENTS AND A MUCH SIMPLIFIED ECONOMIC SURVEY OF TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS FOR THE YEAR 1980.

CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDERS AUTHOR ISING THE CONDUCT OF THESE TWO SURVEYS WERE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 11 OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE ON JANUARY 27, 1981, AND WERE GAZETTED ON JANUARY 30, 1981.

TRADES AND SERVICES COVERED IN THESE TWO SURVEYS WILL INCLUDE:-

(A) STORAGE AND WAREHOUSING FACILITIES FOR HIRE BY THE

GENERAL PUBLIC-

(B) POSTAL, TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, RADIO AND CABLE

COMMUNICATION, MESSAGE DELIVERY AND MESSAGE EXCHANGE SERVICES-

(C) ALL FINANCE (EXCEPT BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES)

AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES, LOAN, MORTGAGE AND DISCOUNT COMPANIES, DEALERS/BROKERS AND EXCHANGES IN STOCKS AND SHARES, COMMODITY FUTURES, GOLD BULLION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGES, PAWNSHOPS, MONEY CHANGERS, AND OTHER FINANCIAL UNDERTAKINGS=

(D) INSURERS, RE-INSURERS, AGENTS AND BROKERS OF ALL KINDS OF

INSURANCE AND RELATED INSURANCE SERVICES-

(E) ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING, ADVERTISING, DATA PROCESSING, EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, EQUIPMENT LEASING AND MACHINERY RENTAL, LEGAL, NEWS AGENCY, SECRETARIAL AND OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES- AND

(F) TRANSPORTATION AND SUPPORTING SERVICES BY LAND, WATER OR AIR, TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND AGENCIES, MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, BRANCH OR REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF

ESTABLISHMENTS PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES BY LAND, WATER OR AIR.

THE SURVEYS WILL GATHER DATA ON EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR COSTS, OTHER OPERATING COSTS, BUSINESS TURNOVER, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND CAPITAL STOCK. THESE STATISTICS ARE REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES.

IN ADDITION, THEY WILL PROVIDE BASIC DATA FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SECTORS CONCERNED, AND FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SECTORAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO HONG KONG'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.

ABOUT 16 000 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE SELECTED FOR THE SURVEYS OUT OF A TOTAL OF SOME 40 000 ESTABLISHMENTS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDERS, THOSE SELECTED FOR THE SURVEYS ARE LEGALLY OBLIGED TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE AND RETURN IT TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31, 1981.

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