XN000022-1995-04-19 — Page 20

5.

An efficient airport is also essential to our manufacturers and exporters of high value-added products. Their business depend on regular and reliable air links to meet delivery dates. In 1994, HK$448 billion worth of cargo was shipped into and out of Hong Kong by air.

Last but not least, the airport is fundamental to the success of our tourism industry. Of the 9.3 million visitors who came to Hong Kong last year, over 68% entered and left via the airport. While in Hong Kong they contributed to a total visitor spending of HK$64 billion on accommodation, shopping, dining and entertainment - contributing some 7% to our Gross Domestic Product. Let's not forget that this expenditure creates jobs for the over 200,000 people in our community whom it is estimated, are employed in tourism related employment in shops, restaurants, hotels, places of entertainment and transportation.

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If Kai Tak cannot continue to grow to cope with increasing demand in the last few years of its life then the whole community will pay an economic price. For example, as a number of members this afternoon have already said

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we will forego HK$4.3 billion a year in income from spending by additional overseas visitors;

businesses and industries associated with airport operations such as freight forwarders and shippers will face constraints in growth and increased difficulties in meeting consignment delivery dates;

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flights which cannot be accommodated at Kai Tak may increasingly divert to other neighbouring airports business which may not come back to Hong Kong even when our new airport is open; to this extent, I cannot agree with Dr Huang's assessment;

the development of new or expanded air links with our aviation partners might also be held back.

Having said all this, Mr President, the Administration has no intention of riding roughshod over the views of those Hong Kong residents who have to bear the burden of aircraft noise on a day-to-day basis. It is for this reason that we have already taken steps to reduce the noise disturbance caused by existing flights:

by no longer permitting airlines to schedule their arrivals after

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10:30 p.m. this is a measure of particular benefit to the residents of North Kowloon;

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