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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1985

THE LATEST ROUND OF SUCH SURVEYS FOR THE REFERENCE YEAR 1984 COMMENCED IN APRIL - MAY 1985.

RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS PROVIDE USEFUL REFERENCE MATERIALS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR INVESTMENT, MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, AND TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR POLICY FORMULATION AND ECONOMIC ANALYSES.

FOR ESTABLISHMENTS WITH PLANS TO DIVERSIFY INTO OTHER ACTIVITIES OR TO EXPAND THE IR EXISTING ACTIVITIES, STATISTICS ON BUSINESS TURNOVER, OPERATING EXPENSES AND OPERATING SURPLUS IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES-TRADES-SERVICES SHOULD BE USEFUL IN MAKING INVESTMENT OR MARKETING DECISIONS.

WHILE RATIOS OF SALES TO STOCKS, TO VARIOUS OPERATING EXPENSES AND TO OPERATING SURPLUS ARE USEFUL TO MANAGEMENT IN STREAMLINING THEIR OPERATING POLICIES WHICH MIGHT INCREASE THEIR PROFITS, STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT AND COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND TRADES HELP EMPLOYERS UNDERSTAND BETTER THE LABOUR SITUATION AND FORMULATE MORE EFFECTIVE EMPLOYMENT POLICIES TO STABILISE LABOUR MOBILITY.

ESTABLISHMENTS WITH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK BENEFIT FROM THE ANNUAL SURVEYS BY SAVING THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES IN COLLECTING THE DATA THEMSELVES, WHILE THOSE NOT MAKING USE OF THE STATISTICS ARE AFFECTED INDIRECTLY BY GOVERNMENT POLICIES OFTEN FORMULATED USING THE SURVEY RESULTS. SUPPLYING THE DEPARTMENT WITH ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION IS IN FACT HELPING DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY THE DEVELOPMENT OF ONE'S OWN BUSINESS.

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS CANNOT BE RELEASED TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND CANNOT BE USED AS EVIDENCE IN COURT EXCEPT FOR AN OFFENCE AGAINST THE SAID ORDINANCE.

RESPONDENTS MAY REST ASSURED THAT INFORMATION SUPPLIED WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL, AND THAT ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE RELEASED. IN ADDITION, ALL COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES WILL EVENTUALLY BE DESTROYED AFTER DATA PROCESSING.

AS THE ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS ARE CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDERS, MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 11 OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE, RESPONSE TO THE SURVEYS IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALS TO ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH HAVE RECEIVED THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO FULFIL THEIR SOCIAL AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS BY PROMPTLY COMPLETING AND RETURNING THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

IF ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES, RESPONDENTS CAN CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT BY TELEPHONE, THE NUMBERS OF WHICH ARE LISTED ON THE QUESTIONNAIRES, FIELD STAFF CARRYING GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS CAN VISIT ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES IF DESIRED.

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