XN000022-1995-03-13 — Page 8

"We buy on a worldwide basis, mainly through open competitive tendering, to find the product that offers best value for money," Mr Shipman said.

"In certain circumstances negotiations were conducted with the recommended tenderer," he added.

Nearly 98 per cent of the products purchased were manufactured outside of Hong Kong.

The United States was the major source of supply. American goods worth $1,332 million were bought, accounting for 31.6 per cent of total purchases. The US has been the Hong Kong Government's leading supplier every year since 1986.

$982 million, or 23.3 per cent of total purchases, were bought from the European Union, with the United Kingdom and Germany being the two leading European suppliers.

Purchases from China have risen by 83 per cent to $341 million. China is the third largest single source of supply, accounting for 8.1 per cent of total purchases.

Purchases from China included fuel oils, steel pipes and fittings, textiles, paper products, water treatment chemicals and pharmaceuticals and other medical consumables,

End/Monday, March 13, 1995

Prepare vegetables with care

Members of the public are today (Monday) urged to wash and blanch vegetables thoroughly before cooking, and to avoid making soup with vegetables.

The appeal was made by the Assistant Director of Health, Dr P Y Leung, following reports of six cases of food poisoning suspected to be related to pesticide contaminated vegetables.