XN000022-1994-02-04 — Page 4

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1994

3

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES OR ORGANISATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH COPIES OF A LOGO TO STICK ON THEIR SHOW WINDOWS FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSE. A HANDBOOK WILL ALSO BE ISSUED LISTING OUT ALL THEIR NAMES AND OFFERS.

MANAGERS,

MISS WILLIS APPEALED TO ALL BUSINESSMEN, PROFESSIONALS, DIRECTORS OF COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS TO SUPPORT THE

SCHEME.

ON THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, MISS WILLIS SAID THE PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION AGED 60 AND ABOVE WAS EXPECTED TO RISE FROM 716,901 (13 PER CENT) IN 1991 TO

(18.1 PER CENT) IN 2011 DUE TO THE GOOD HEALTH STATUS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

1,172,400

A MAN AGED 60 IN 1991 CAN EXPECT TO LIVE ANOTHER 19.2 YEARS AND EXPECTANCY IS PROJECTED TO INCREASE FURTHER IN THE YEAR 2011 ΤΟ ANOTHER 20.8 YEARS.

LIFE

FOR A WOMAN, THE LIFE EXPECTANCY AT 60 IS EVEN LONGER; IN 1991 ANOTHER 23.4 YEARS AND IN 2011 ANOTHER 24.8 YEARS.

TO MEET THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGE, THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY TO CARRY OUT AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF ALL THE SERVICES PROVIDED AND TO FORMULATE A STRATEGY FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES.

THE REVIEW WILL COVER COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, MEDICAL SERVICES, HOUSING NEEDS AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

THE WORKING GROUP WILL REPORT BACK TO THE GOVERNOR IN MISS WILLIS SAID.

AUGUST,

ESTATE AGENTS WORKING GROUP DISCUSSES LICENSING SYSTEMS

* * * * *

THE WORKING GROUP ON REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENTS HAS AGREED THAT THE OPTION OF ESTABLISHING A REGULATORY SYSTEM FOR THE TRADE SHOULD BE EXPLORED FURTHER AFTER DISCUSSING THE PROS AND CONS OF

VARIOUS OPTIONS.

FEASIBILITY

AT TODAY'S MEETING, MEMBERS DISCUSSED THE FORMING A REGULATORY AUTHORITY WITH LEGISLATIVE BACKING AND AGREED CONTINUE THEIR DISCUSSIONS AT THE NEXT MEETING.

OF

TO

THE

HAND HAND.

THE WORKING GROUP NOTED THAT THE LICENSING OPTION WILL SERVE ONE PURPOSES OF SANCTIONING DISHONEST AND INCOMPETENT AGENTS

OTHER AND RAISING THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARD OF THE TRADE ON THE

ON

THE SIMILAR

PUBLIC INTEREST WILL BE SAFEGUARDED WITH AN ASSURANCE THAT SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE TRADE WILL MEET A REQUIRED STANDARD. LICENSING SYSTEMS ARE IN USE IN CANADA, USA AND AUSTRALIA.

/AT THE