XN000022-1993-07-30 — Page 5

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1993

THE DIRECTORS OF THE TWO NEW DEPARTMENTS WILL BE ANSWERABLE то THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS.

POPE

THE POST OF DIRECTOR OF LANDS WILL BE FILLED BY MR ROBERT WHO IS CURRENTLY ACTING AS DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, WHILE THE POST OF DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS WILL BE TEMPORARILY COVERED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON.

BOTH APPOINTMENTS ARE BEING MADE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE CONVENIENCE PENDING THE COMPLETION OF FORMAL PROCEDURES TO FILL THE POSTS BY PROMOTION ON A PERMANENT BASIS.

WHEN THE RE-ORGANISATION OF BLD, THE FOUR MAIN POLICY AREAS OF THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, NAMELY TOWN PLANNING, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, LAND ADMINISTRATION AND PRIVATE BUILDING CONTROL, WILL BE HANDLED AT OPERATIONAL LEVEL BY FOUR SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS, ALL WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO THE BRANCH.

AS A

SEPARATE

ΤΟ

THE RE-ORGANISATION WILL ENABLE BOO TO OPERATE AND INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT SO THAT IT CAN RESPOND MORE EFFECTIVELY 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 SPLIT OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT INTO TWO WILL NOT INCUR ADDITIONAL COSTS.

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MOBILE NETWORKS' DIRECT INTERCONNECTION WITH INT'L GATEWAY AND FAX SERVICES CHARGES

CELLULAR MOBILE TELEPHONE NETWORKS WILL BE INTERCONNECT DIRECTLY WITH THE INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY OF TELECOM INTERNATIONAL, INSTEAD OF VIA THE HONG KONG COMPANY'S NETWORK, FROM AUGUST 1.

TO

ABLE HONG KONG TELEPHONE

UNDER THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT OF DIRECT INTERCONNECTION, MOBILE PHONE OPERATORS WILL RECEIVE A SHARE OF INTERNATIONAL CALL REVENUE.

"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE OPERATORS WILL BE ABLE TO PASS ON PART OF THESE BENEFITS TO THEIR INTERNATIONAL CALL CUSTOMERS BY WAY OF, FOR EXAMPLE, PRICE DISCOUNTS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MR A SK WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

DIRECT DIALLING

IN ADDITION TO THE REDUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHARGES ANNOUNCED RECENTLY, MR WONG SAID THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT FOR MOBILE PHONE NETWORKS WOULD REPRESENT ANOTHER MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN ENHANCING THE INTEREST OF INTERNATIONAL CALL CUSTOMERS.

/MR WONG