XN000022-1995-09-21 — Page 19

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"A Common Recruitment Examination will be held for the five grades on December 2. In line with our aim for a biliterate (Chinese and English) civil service, a test on the use of Chinese language has been added to this year's examination," the spokesman said.

The examination comprises three papers. English Paper (two hours), and Chinese Paper (two hours) are to test candidates on the use of English and Chinese languages and to assess their analytical power and problem-solving ability. Aptitude Test Paper (1 hour 15 minutes) is to assess candidates' logical thinking and their ability in the interpretation of statistics. The total examination time for the three papers is 5 hours and 15 minutes.

End/Thursday, September 21, 1995

Value of manufacturers' orders-on-hand in July

The value of manufacturers' orders-on-hand for local production in July 1995 increased by 6% over a year earlier, according to the provisional results of a monthly survey released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

Comparing July 1995 with July 1994, significant increases in the value of outstanding orders were recorded in the electrical products industry (+20%) and the electronic products industry (+19%). A moderate increase in the value of orders was also recorded in the wearing apparel industry (+5%).

On the other hand, decreases in the value of orders were recorded in the plastic products industry (-13%), the textiles industry (-10%), the printing and publishing industry (-7%) and the fabricated metal industry (-4%).

Compared with June 1995, and bearing in mind that this comparison may be affected by seasonal factors, the value of manufacturers' orders-on-hand in July 1995 showed little change.