XN000022-1994-03-15 — Page 5

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994

DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES WILL MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT REGRETS THAT SOME 220 MEMBERS OF THE LAND EXECUTIVES ASSOCIATION, REPRESENTING 65 PER CENT OF THE LAND EXECUTIVE GRADE'S ESTABLISHMENT, HAVE APPLIED FOR LEAVE TO STAGE A SIT-IN AS A PROTEST AGAINST INADEQUATE STAFF RESOURCES WITHIN THE GRADE.

IT WILL ENSURE THAT DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES ARE ADEQUATELY STAFFED TO MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE CURRENT PRESSURE

OF WORK AND INADEQUATE STAFF RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE THE LAND EXECUTIVES ARE MOST AFFECTED.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND THE Department WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LAND EXECUTIVES ASSOCIATION WITH A VIEW TO REDRESSING THE STAFF SHORTFALL.

GARMENT INDUSTRY BENEFITS FROM URUGUAY AGREEMENT

HONG KONG'S GARMENT MANUFACTURERS ARE WELL-PLACED TO BE AMONG THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE REMOVAL OF QUOTA CONTROLS AS A RESULT OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT, ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR DINNER OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS, MRS IP SAID THIS WAS DUE TO THE FLEXIBILITY AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS

OF LOCAL GARMENT MANUFACTURERS.

SHE ANTICIPATED THAT WITH THE LIFTING OF QUOTA, A GROWTH IN EXPORTS FROM THE REGION WILL BE FUELLED BY LOCAL CAPITAL AND EXPERTISE.

"THE INDUSTRY IS FACING CHALLENGES AS GREAT AS IT HAS EVER FACED, BUT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE GREATER THAN EVER," SHE SAID.

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SHE NOTED THAT THERE WERE ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN SOME OF HONG KONG'S LARGEST TRADITIONAL MARKETS.

"AND MARKETS WITH ENORMOUS POTENTIAL ARE BEGINNING TO OPEN UP CLOSER TO HOME, SHE ADDED.

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MRS IP SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTIES BY GARMENT MANUFACTURERS, AND HAD DEVISED WAYS TO HELP.

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FACED

THEY INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, THE DEMONSTRATION OF NEW PROCESSES BY THE CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE, AND THE PROVISION TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES UNDER THE NEW TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SCHEME.

'HONG KONG'S FREE TRADE, NON-INTERVENTIONIST POLICY DOES SEEK TO DISGUISE THE HARSH ECONOMIC REALITIES, BUT THE POLICY IS AND HAS PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, MRS IP SAID.

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