XN000022-1988-11-18 — Page 4

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988

THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THAT MANY COMPANIES WERE ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PRODUCT DESIGN, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, QUALITY CONTROL AND EMPLOYEE TRAINING.

COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER-CONTROLLED MACHINES WERE IN OPERATION IN 359 COMPANIES, OFTEN WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE OVERSEAS INVESTOR. "WE WELCOME THESE INVESTMENTS, MR YEUNG SAID.

"THEY SERVE NOT ONLY TO ENRICH HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES BUT ALSO TO STIMULATE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TO UNGRADE THEIR OWN OPERATIONS."

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MR YEUNG SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY SURVEY OVERSEAS INVESTORS' VIEWS ON THE MERITS OF HONG KONG AS A MANUFACTURING CENTRE.

MOST COMPANIES COMMENTED FAVOURABLY ON HONG KONG'S FREE PORT STATUS, GOOD INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS, GOOD TRANSPORT, ABSENCE OF CONTROLS ON FOREIGN EXCHANGE, LOW TAX RATE AND THE TERRITORY'S FREE TRADE AND FREE ENTERPRISE POLICIES.

SOME MANUFACTURERS COMMENTED THAT LABOUR WAS IN SHORT SUPPLY AND THAT INDUSTRIAL LAND AND PREMISES WERE EXPENSIVE.

"HOWEVER 196 COMPANIES FELT THAT

HONG KONG'S OVERALL,

INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT WAS FAVOURABLE," MR YEUNG SAID.

HE SAID 217 COMPANIES PLANNED TO EXPAND PRODUCTION OF THEIR EXISTING PRODUCTS AND 83 INTENDED TO SET UP ADDITIONAL BRANCHES IN THE TERRITORY.

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COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT ARE AVAILABLE PROM THE INDUSTRY

DEPARTMENT.

TOY SAFETY PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED

A MAJOR NEW INITIATIVE TO PROTECT HONG KONG'S CHILDREN BY IMPROVING TOY SAFETY WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLFOD.

MR MACLEOD SAID THAT HE HAD ACCEPTED A INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE TOY SAFETY RATHER SELF-REGULATION BY THE INDUSTRY.

RECOMMENDATION ΤΟ THAN RELYING ON

THIS DECISION