XN000022-1985-05-30 — Page 14

THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1985

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NEW COMPUTER FOR BETTER TEXTILE SERVICE

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THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS INSTALLED A $12.3 MILLION COMPUTER TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE TEXTILE TRADE IN HONG KONG.

KNOWN AS THE +PHASE 111+ COMPUTER SYSTEM, IT IS AN IMPROVED VERSION OF THE SYSTEM PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED FOR QUOTA ADMINISTRATION AND PROCESSING OF TEXTILE LICENCES.

USING AN IBM 4341 COMPUTER IT IS AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM TO COVER EXPORTS TO ALL RESTRAINT MARKETS (INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, EEC, CANADA, SWEDEN, FINLAND, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND AND NORWAY).

WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL IN 1986, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL BE LINKED TO 73 WORK-STATIONS WHICH CAN PROCESS OVER A MILLION LICENCES A YEAR.

SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE NEW SYSTEM TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID: THE NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL IMPROVE THE SPEED AND ACCURACY OF LICENCE PROCESSING SO THAT BETTER SERVICE CAN BE PROVIDED TO THE TEXTILE TRADE.

IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE MORE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON QUOTA BALANCES SO THAT HONG KONG'S QUOTA UTILISATION CAN BE MAXIMISED.

+AND WITH THE SUPPLY OF MORE DETAILED EXPORT DATA, TRADE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS CAN NEGOTIATE BETTER EXPORT RIGHTS FOR HONG KONG TEXTILE GOODS,+

AMONG THE GUESTS AT TODAY'S CEREMONY WERE DATA PROCESSING MANAGER, MR STEPHEN LAU, PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE TEXTILE TRADE, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM IBM WORLD TRADE CORPORATION.

GRANTS OFFERED FOR SPORTS, OTHER PROJECTS

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APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR GRANTS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION, FOR NON-CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS DEALING WITH RECREATIONAL, SPORTING, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.

ABOUT $2.5 MILLION WILL BE ALLOCATED THIS FINANCIAL YEAR 1985-86 TO ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO INITIATE PROJECTS WHICH WILL OFFER CONSTRUCTIVE AND LONG-TERM BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC.

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THE FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.

/A SPOKESMAN