XN000022-1990-03-07 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990

HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS STILL MUCH ROOM FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS NOTWITHSTANDING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE EIGHTIES.

"THE GOVERNMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, CURRENTLY REVIEWING SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES.

IS

"THE SCOPE OF THE REVIEW ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY INCLUDES COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, OTHER SERVICES AND NEW INITIATIVES.

"I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS REVIEW WILL BOOST OUR EFFORTS TO MAKE UP THE SHORTFALLS OF PROVISION IN THIS AREA AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AS WELL AS TO BRING ABOUT BETTER FACILITIES AND NEW IDEAS, HE SAID.

H

MANUFACTURERS MUST STRIVE TO UPGRADE PRODUCT QUALITY

HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURERS MUST CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS, IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SKILLS AND INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY IF THEY ARE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.

THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, GAVE THIS ADVICE TO LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY FAIR '90.

MR CHAN SAID DESPITE THE SUCCESS THAT THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY WAS CURRENTLY ENJOYING, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WERE OPERATING AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF RISING PRODUCTION COSTS, A TIGHT SUPPLY OF LABOUR, GROWING THREATS OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES IN HONG KONG'S MAJOR MARKETS, AND INCREASING COMPETITION FROM OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES.

HE SAID THE PUBLIC SECTOR ALSO HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO

IN SUPPORTING THE LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

PLAY

BY

"WE ALREADY HAVE IN HONG KONG TWO TRAINING CENTRES OPERATED THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, WHICH CAN TRAIN ABOUT 7,000 PEOPLE A YEAR.

"THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ORGANISES TRADE FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS ON A REGULAR BASIS, ΤΟ

PROMOTE OUR PRODUCTS, HE SAID.

MR CHAN ADDED THAT LAST YEAR THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TEXTILES AND APPAREL DIVISION IN THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.

/"THIS DIVISION