XN000022-1993-03-19 — Page 6

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1993

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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE PROPOSED RE- ORGANISATION WOULD ENABLE BOO TO OPERATE AS A SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT SO THAT IT CAN RESPOND MORE EFFECTIVELY TO NEW DEMANDS IN PRIVATE BUILDING CONTROL, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE.

"THE NEW BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE A MORE DISTINCT IDENTITY AND BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A GREATER INCENTIVE TO STAFF TO ENHANCE PERFORMANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

POLICY AREAS

"I

THE PROPOSED RE-ORGANISATION WILL ALSO MEAN THAT THE FOUR MAIN OF THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, NAMELY TOWN PLANNING, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, LAND ADMINISTRATION AND BUILDING CONTROL WILL BE HANDLED AT IMPLEMENTATION LEVEL BY FOUR SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS, ALL WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO THE BRANCH.

THE SPLIT OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT INTO TWO WILL NOT INCUR ADDITIONAL OPERATING COSTS.

MISUSE OF ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS LIMITS TRADE COMPETITION

* * * * *

THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, TODAY (FRIDAY) CONDEMNED COUNTRIES THAT USED ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS ΤΟ DAMAGE FREE

COMPETITION.

HE CALLED ON HONG KONG'S TRADING PARTNERS TO ACT TOGETHER то REVERSE THESE UNWELCOME TREND, AND CAUTIONED THAT "WE WILL ALL BE IN THE SAME BOAT AND WILL SINK OR FLOAT TOGETHER.

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ADRESSING MEMBERS OF THE FRENCH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, MR TSANG SAID IT APPEARED THAT ANTI-DUMPING HAD CHANGED FROM BEING A TOOL TO PROTECT COMPETITION TO ONE THAT WAS USED то PROTECT THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES.

"ANTI-DUMPING SYSTEMS WERE NOT CONCEIVED TO LIMIT COMPETITION BASED ON COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE. HOWEVER, IF WE LOOK AT THE GATT ANTI-DUMPING CODE TODAY, WE COULD SEE THAT IT HAS ITS INADEQUACIES AND IS OPEN TO INTERPRETATION.

* IMPORTING AUTHORITIES WITH NO REGARD FOR THE ORIGINAL SPIRIT OF ANTI-DUMPING MAY USE ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS ΤΟ LIMIT IMPORT COMPETITION, AND TO PROTECT DOMESTIC PRODUCERS WHICH MAY ALREADY HAVE CONSIDERABLE MARKET POWER AND PROTECTION AGAINST IMPORTS, HE SAID.

MR TSANG SAID TRADITIONAL USERS OF ANTI-DUMPING LAWS, NAMELY THE UNITED STATES, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA, AND THEIR INDUSTRIES COULD EASILY FIND THEMSELVES ON THE RECEIVING END OF ANTI-DUMPING CASES AGAINST THEIR EXPORTS.

/"INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES