XN000022-1986-03-26 — Page 21

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986

19

CALL TO ELIMINATE TRADE BARRIERS

* * * *

A CONCERTED EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO ELIMINATE TRADE BARRIERS AND TO PROMOTE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, THE HON NGAI SHIUKIT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1986, MR NGAI SAID DUE TO THE ENDLESS VARIETY OF TRADING RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY EXPORT MARKETS, HONG KONG WAS OFTEN PLACED IN A DEFENSIVE POSITION.

+PROTECTIONISM, WHETHER VIEWED IN THE LONG-TERM OR SHORT-TERM PERSPECTIVE, IS IN FACT A SELF-DESTRUCTIVE ECONOMIC POLICY, + HE SAID.

+THOSE WHO ADVOCATE TRADE RESTRICTIONS AND CARE FOR IMMEDIATE BENEFITS HAVE IGNORED COMPLETELY THE RIGHT OF FREE CHOICE BY LOCAL IMPORTERS, RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS.

+THEREFORE, IT WILL SURELY ENCOUNTER AN OPPOSING FORCE, AND HONG KONG SHOULD TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MANIPULATE SUCH A FORCE TO FIGHT PROTECTIONISM, + HE ADDED.

IN FACT, MR NGAI SAID, EVERY ENTREPRENEUR HAD THE DUTY TO MAKE FULL USE OF EVERY CHANCE TO ENHANCE THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF THE DOMESTIC EXPORT INDUSTRY BY PARTICIPATING IN ALL KINDS OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES, BE THEY LONG-TERM OR SHORT-TERM, EVERYWHERE AND ON ALL OCCASIONS, SO AS TO PROMOTE HONG KONG'S IMAGE IN THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEW SITUATION AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE SINO-BRITISH DECLARATION.

MR NGAI SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES TO SET UP STANDING LOBBYING GROUPS THROUGH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT OR OVERSEAS OFFICES.

IF NECESSARY, HE SAID, THESE GROUPS COULD STATION IN HONG KONG'S MAJOR EXPORT COUNTRIES AND THE RESPONSIBLE

OFFICERS COULD KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH AND LOBBY LOCAL PEOPLE OPPOSED TO TRADE BARRIER POLICIES, INCLUDING IMPORTERS, WHOLESALERS, MEMBERS OF THE CONSUMER BODIES AND THE LEGISLATURE, IN ORDER TO STOP THE ONGOING EXPANSION OF TRADE BARRIER MOVEMENT.

HE ALSO FELT IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE AND ACCEPTABLE IF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT REQUIRED MORE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES TO CARRY OUT THESE UNDERTAKINGS.

IN ORDER TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY LEVEL OF HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, MR NGAI SUGGESTED THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SHOULD STEP UP ITS EFFORTS TO ATTRACT OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT BY ORGANISING MORE SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS AND OVERSEAS VISITS.

HE SAID HE REGRETTED THAT THE FUND ALLOCATED IN THIS DIRECTION MIGHT NOT BE SUFFICIENT AND HAD NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION A LARGE-SCALE PROMOTION PROGRAMME.

/20