XN000022-1995-11-29 — Page 64

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Objective of the Governor's Business Council

Following is a question by the Hon Allen Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Miss Denise Yue, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

As the objective of the Governor's Business Council is to examine ways to improve the territory's economy, will the Government inform this Council of the following:

(a) what suggestions the Council has made to the Government to improve the economy since its establishment;

(b) whether the Council has made any suggestions to tackle the present unemployment problem; and

(c) whether the Government has adopted the Council's suggestions, if so, what are the results of implementing such suggestions?

Reply:

Mr President,

Since its establishment three years ago, the Governor's Business Council has discussed a wide range of issues affecting the economy, including land supply and harbour reclamations, inflation, the Consumer Council's competition studies, retirement protection, the economic implications of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, policy on financial services, promotion of services, container terminal handling charges, double taxation agreements and the recent situation of the Hong Kong economy. Members of the Council have offered valuable comments and advice on all these issues from the business perspective.

The Governor's Business Council has discussed the labour situation in recent meetings. The views expressed by Council members have been helpful in the Government's review of the labour situation in Hong Kong and in the formulation of measures to deal with it.

End/Wednesday, November 29, 1995