XN000022-1993-10-06 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993

SPECIAL MEASURES TO HELP BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE * * * * *

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS IN ORDER HELP COMMERCIAL OPERATORS AFFECTED BY THE "SIX STREET CLEARANCE" MA TAU KOK TO RESOLVE DIFFICULTIES ARISING FROM THE CLEARANCE.

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A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A RESULT OF A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH THE OPERATORS, THE DEPARTMENT RECOGNISED THAT THE NORMAL PRACTICE OF ASSESSING COMPENSATION AFTER CLOSURE OF BUSINESS COULD CREATE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TO THE OPERATORS.

"IN RECOGNITION OF THIS PROBLEM, THE DEPARTMENT HAS AGREED TO MAKE COMPENSATION ASSESSMENTS BASED ON THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, INSTEAD OF MAKING THE ASSESSMENTS AFTER THE OPERATORS VACATE THEIR PREMISES. AND OFFERS OF COMPENSATION HAVE BEEN MADE TO THEM."

HAD

THE SPOKESMAN SAID NEARLY 100 OFFERS TOTALLING $32 MILLION BEEN MADE IN ADDITION TO THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE PREVIOUSLY OFFERED.

THE COMPENSATION BEING OFFERED INCLUDES REMOVAL ALLOWANCE, VALUE OF FURNITURE AND FITTINGS, PLANT AND MACHINERY AND VALUE OF TENANCY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPERATORS COULD MAKE ON TOP OF THE OFFERS MADE TO THEM, BUT SUCH CLAIMS PROPERLY SUBSTANTIATED BY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.

ADDITIONAL CLAIMS WOULD HAVE ΤΟ BE

COMMUNITY ELECTRONIC TRADING SERVICE PLANNED FOR 1995

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THE COMMUNITY ELECTRONIC TRADING SERVICE (CETS) WILL LAUNCHED IN 1995 PENDING THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A TESTING YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR TH

CHAU, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 16TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FEDERATION OF ASEAN SHIPPERS' COUNCIL, MR CHAU SAID THE TESTING, WHICH WOULD BEGIN BY THE MIDDLE OF 1994, WOULD INVOLVE THE GOVERNMENT, TRADELINK AND A SMALL NUMBER OF SELECTED TRADERS.

TRADELINK IS A CONSORTIUM FORMED BY 11 LEADING TRADE-RELATED ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG IN 1988. SINCE THEN, TRADELINK HAS BEEN ACTIVELY PROMOTING THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI) IN THE TERRITORY.

/MR CHAU