XN000022-1995-09-06 — Page 3

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"It is no use simply complaining about the difficulties of finding the right person to fill a job. There are plenty of people who, with some retraining, would be able to meet any reasonable requirements," he said.

He said the Government was examining the General Importation of Labour Scheme critically.

"We must not allow a scheme designed to strengthen our economy, by importing labour in areas of shortages, creates opportunities for illegal employment at the expense of our workers.

"At the same time, I have to emphasise the clear need for the flexibility to import workers to meet particular requirements. Imported labour has made a major contribution to our past growth and we cannot let a shortage of specific skills or particular types of labour act as a barrier to our future expansion," he said.

Mr Tsang stressed that the overall economy remained sound and vigorous.

"We are forecasting a five per cent real increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and a five per cent real growth is a healthy and sustainable rate of expansion for a mature economy like ours," he said.

Mr Tsang said he saw his primary tasks as Financial Secretary as helping Hong Kong to complete the transition to a service and technology-based economy as well as the transition to Chinese sovereignty and Hong Kong's future role as a Special Administrative Region.

"To ensure that we stay ahead of the game, I have set up a Task Force, which I personally chair, comprising key policy secretaries. Its mission is to come up with proposals for new policies and new institutions to promote the service industries," he added.

"As 1997 draws near, we need to achieve closer co-operation with our future sovereign power, while upholding the commitment to Hong Kong's separate systems enshrined in the Joint Declaration and promised in the Basic Law," he said.

"The tasks for all of us in the Government is to make a reality of 'one country, two systems'."

Mr Tsang said the Government would develop a close working relationship with the first fully-elected Legislative Council. He would also build on the spirit of co-operation and welcomed the Legislative Council's views on the Budget and other issues.

End/Wednesday, September 6, 1995

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