XN000022-1993-09-30+10-01 — Page 16

IN

15

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1993

ADDITION TO THE TERRITORY'S STRONG

BCONOMIC

FUNDAMENTALS,

CHINA WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT FACTOR, HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG'S FUTURE ECONOMIC SUCCESS ALSO DEPENDED ON THE CONTINUATION OF ITS SEPARATE TRADING AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS AND ITS STATUS AS A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY AFTER 1997, AS ENSHRINED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.

MR MACLEOD IS CURRENTLY IN THE U.S. PROMOTING HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CENTRE AFTER ATTENDING THE IMP/WORLD BANK ANNUAL MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON EARLIER THIS WEEK.

$1 MILLION RELIEF FOR FLOODING VICTIMS

THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE TODAY (FRIDAY) BEGAN ISSUING EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND TO VILLAGERS IN NORTH DISTRICT AFFECTED BY THE RECENT FLOODING.

ABOUT $1 MILLION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FROM THE GENERAL CHINESE CHARITABLE FUND FOR THIS PURPOSE.

THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TIMOTHY TONG, SAID SO FAR MORE THAN 400 APPLICATIONS FOR THE RELIEF FUND HAD BEEN RECEIVED, AND BACH NEEDY FAMILY COULD OBTAIN $5,000 OR $2,000, DEPENDING ON THE CONDITIONS OF INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THOSE APPLICATIONS WOULD BE PROCESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND ALL APPLICANTS WOULD GO THROUGH A SCREENING PROCESS TO DECIDE ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR THE CASH ASSISTANCE.

HE SAID ABOUT 100 FAMILIES HAD RECEIVED THE MONEY TODAY, AND HIS STAFF WILL CONTINUE WORKING DURING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL HOLIDAY AND OVER THE WEEKEND TO PROCESS OTHER CASES.

"STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD ALSO FAMILIES IN THE FLOODED AREAS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

WITH

VISITED ALL THE TO SEE WHATEVER

OTHER GOVERNMENT

"AND WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION AND EMERGENCY RELIEF TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE FLOODING, MR TONG SAID.

HE ALSO CALLED ON THE NEEDY FAMILIES TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR THE CASH RELIEF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY COULD CONTACT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE ON 675 1606 FOR DETAILS.

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