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LOCAL TRADERS URGED TO SUBSCRIBE

TO TRADE FACILITATION COUNCIL

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THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED LOCAL TRADERS TO SUBSCRIBE TO TRADE PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE TRADE FACILITATION COUNCIL IN ORDER TO CUT DOWN OPERATING COSTS.

HE WAS ADDRESSING THE PREMIERE OF THE HONG KONG TRADE FACILITATION COUNCIL FILM +MEET TRADE FACILITATION+, ATTENDED BY SENIOR EXECUTIVES FROM LOCAL COMPANIES, TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

+THE BENEFITS OF TRADE FACILITATION ARE INTANGIBLE BUT, NEVERTHELESS, OFFICIAL ESTIMATES HAVE PROVED THAT SOME SEVEN PER CENT OF THE ÎNVOICE VALUE OF A CONSIGNMENT IS SAVED IN COSTS TO THE EXPORTER BY THE ADOPTION OF TRADE FACILITATION PROCEDURES. THESE ARE POSITIVE BENEFITS WHICH AT TIMES ARE OBSCURED OR FORGOTTEN IN THE DAY-TO-DAY PROCESS OF TRADING, AND URGE ALL OUR MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS TO CONTACT THE COUNCIL FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION, MR HO SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE POLICY OF THE COUNCIL WAS TO GIVE PRIORITY TO SIMPLIFYING THE PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS FOR ALL HONG KONG TRADERS WHILE, INTERNATIONALLY, PARTICIPATING IN THE UNITED NATIONS' EFFORT TO REMOVE THE MANY BARRIERS WHICH HAMPER TRADE.

IT IS THE COUNCIL'S OBJECTIVE TO INCREASE ITS EARNINGS IN ORDER TO STAND MORE ON ITS OWN FEET FINANCIALLY; AND TO THIS END WOULD URGE OUR TRADING COMMUNITY TO GIVE THEIR FULLEST SUPPORT AND, MAY I SUGGEST, SUBSCRIPTIONS TO A PROCESS WHICH, AS I HAVE ALREADY SAID, IS NOT A THEORETICAL SEARCH FOR IMPROVEMENT FOR ITS OWN SAKE, BUT CAN OFFER BUSINESSES TANGIBLE CASH SAVINGS IN THEIR OPERATING COSTS,+ MR HO CONCLUDED.

1982 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES

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FOLLOWING A BENCHMARK ECONOMIC SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING A FOLLOW-UP SURVEY TO COLLECT DATA RELATING TO THE YEAR 1982.

THE SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES FOR 1982 COVERS LAND, SEA AND AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES, SUCH AS PUBLIC BUSES, TRAMWAYS, TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, TRUCKS, FERRIES, CONTAINER HAULAGE, SHIPPING COMPANIES, AIRLINES, AND SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT, SUCH AS CAR PARKS, TRAVEL AGENTS AND CARGO FORWARDING AGENTS.

QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT TO ABOUT 4 200 ESTABLISHMENTS FROM OUT OF A TOTAL OF ABOUT 40 000 ESTABLISHMENTS. ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 10 OR MORE PERSONS ARE FULLY COVERED IN THE SURVEY WHILE THOSE WITH LESS THAN 10 PERSONS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED.

DATA TO BE COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDE THE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR COSTS, OPERATING EXPENDITURE, BUSINESS TURNOVER AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.

/SUCH ECONOMIC