XN000022-1989-10-18 — Page 19

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1989

DEVELOPMENT BOARD WILL ENHANCE PORT PLANNING

THE INTRODUCTION OF A PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD

WILL IN FUTURE

ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PORT PLANNING, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, INFORMED COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE LEGISLATIVE

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG ON THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO ENHANCE EFFICIENCY IN PORT MANAGEMENT

IN VIEW OF THE RAPID INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF CARGOES MOVING THROUGH HONG KONG, MRS CHAN SAID THE BOARD, ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS LAST WEEK, WOULD PROVIDE MORE CO-ORDINATED INITIATIVES AND RESPONSES WHICH REFLECTED THE VIEWS OF ALL USERS AND SUPPLIERS PORT SERVICES.

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"THE NEW PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD WILL, I BELIEVE, ALLOW US ΤΟ TAKE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE OF THE STRATEGIC NEW PORT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT LIE AHEAD," SHE SAID.

MRS CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE DEMAND FOR PORT INCREASED THREEFOLD OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

SERVICES HAD

"WE HAVE MET THAT DEMAND BY THE PROVISION OF THE NECESSARY RESOURCES AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME WITHOUT OVER-PROVISION, SHE SAID.

"

THIS ENVIABLE ACHIEVEMENT HAD BEEN DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF TWO FACTORS PRUDENT PLANNING, AND SOUND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF PORT FACILITIES.

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY

CONCERNING THE LATTER, MRS CHAN SAID HAD BEEN TO PROVIDE THE ENVIRONMENT WHICH WOULD ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PARTICIPATE AND INVEST IN THE PORT.

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"THIS POLICY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND WILL CONTINUE, SHE SAID.

"THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, IN ITS OVERALL PORT ADMINISTRATION ROLE, WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND REVIEW OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND IS KEPT WELL INFORMED OF THE VIEWS OF BOTH USERS AND SUPPLIERS OF PORT SERVICES THROUGH ITS NETWORK OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES,

"THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IN PARTNERSHIP, WILL ENSURE THAT INVESTMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY, MODERN EQUIPMENT AND NEW WORKING METHODS WILL CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFICIENCY,"

MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT SAFETY WAS OF PARAMOUNT IN MAINTAINING THE EFFICIENCY AND REPUTATION OF THE PORT.

OPERATIONAL

IMPORTANCE

MEANS ΤΟ

FACE

"THE NEW VESSEL TRAFFIC SYSTEM FACILITY WHICH IS NOW ENTERING SERVICE IS PROVIDING HONG KONG WITH THE MOST UP TO DATE IMPROVE OUR ALREADY ENVIABLE PORT SAFETY RECORD, IN THE EVER-INCREASING PORT TRAFFIC," SHE SAID.

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