XN000022-1982-10-25 — Page 5

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1982

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CONSULTANCY ON TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES

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MR J. GILMOUR, REGISTRAR OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TESTING AUTHORITIES (NATA), ARRIVED IN HONG KONG YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) FOR A SECOND VISIT TO CONTINUE CONSULTANCY WORK ON TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES AND ACCREDITATION OF TESTING LABORATOR IES IN HONG KONG.

HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MR A.J. RUSSELL, PROJECT MANAGER ASSIGNED BY NATA FOR THE CONSULTANCY.

MR J. GILMOUR FIRST CAME HERE IN MARCH 1982 AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE PROJECT.

THE CONSULTANCY, ENDORSED BY THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING A RECOMMENDATION BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION TO BUILD AN IMPROVED AND MORE CLEARLY INDEPENDENT RANGE OF QUALITY CERTIFICATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.

DURING THEIR STAY, THE CONSULTANTS WILL HOLD IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES TO GATHER INFORMATION.

THEY WILL LOOK INTO THE VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR THE ACCREDITATION SYSTEM AND DISCUSS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AUTHORITY OF THE SYSTEM.

THE CONSULTANTS WILL ALSO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF RECRUITING FULL-TIME STAFF TO PROVIDE EXECUTIVE AND TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT SUPPORT TO THE SYSTEM; AND TO DEVELOP FURTHER PROPOSALS FOR THE CONSULTANCY,

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