XN000022-1990-07-04 — Page 34

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990

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EXCO APPROVES REVISION OF VEHICLE EXAMINATION FEES

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE REVISION OF VEHICLE EXAMINATION FEES CHARGED AT GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES, WITH THE REVISION TO TAKE EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, IN DOLLAR TERMS, VEHICLE OWNERS WOULD PAY, ONLY $150 TO $260 MORE A YEAR.

THE LAST REVISION OF CHARGES WAS MADE IN 1985.

THE NEW FEES WILL BE REVISED TO $190 FOR A MOTOR CYCLE; $310 FOR A PRIVATE CAR, TAXI OR TRAILER; $370 FOR A LIGHT BUS AND GOODS VEHICLE OR SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE NOT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES

TONNES PERMITTED VEHICLE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT; $500 FOR A SINGLE-DECKER BUS AND GOODS OR SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT; AND $560 FOR DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT VEHICLE EXAMINATION FEES AT GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES HAD BEEN CHARGED AT A LEVEL WELL BELOW THE OPERATING COSTS OF THESE CENTRES.

THEY NEEDED TO BE INCREASED IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES INCURRED IN OPERATING THE CENTRES, HE ADDED.

WOULD EVEN WITH THE REVISED CHARGES, THE FEES

NOT COVER THE FULL OPERATING COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES, WHICH WOULD STILL OPERATE AT A LOSS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE FEES TO BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF GRADUALLY RECOVERING THE FULL COST.

EXPANDING AND OPENING UP MARKETS IMPORTANT

то EXPAND EXISTING

DESIGN

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE MARKETS, TO OPEN UP NEW MARKETS AND TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY AND

MR T.H. CHAU, SAID OF ITS PRODUCTS, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.

FASHION SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL

KONG INTERNATIONAL JEWELLERY AND ACCESSORIES FAIR 1990 AND THE

CHAU SAID HONG KONG STATIONERY AND PREMIUM FAIR 1990, MR

DEPENDED

HEAVILY ON EXTERNAL TRADE.

HONG

IN RECENT

YEARS

HE SAID HONG KONG'S TOTAL TRADE AMOUNTED TO NEARLY TWO-AND-HALF TIMES ITS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND HONG KONG HAD BECOME THE WORLD'S 11TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY.

/HE SAID