XN000022-1996-09-26 — Page 12

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Small and Medium Enterprises Committee holds second meeting

The areas of support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong were discussed at the second meeting held by the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee today (Thursday).

The Committee, one of a package of measures proposed by the Financial Secretary in his 1996-97 Budget to promote the services sector, was established in July to identify issues and trends affecting the development of SMEs in Hong Kong and suggest measures to support and facilitate their development.

"The meeting today has had useful exchange of views and discussions on a wide range of subjects, including two priority areas of support for SMEs, namely financing and human resources development," the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Denis Lee said.

On Human Resources Development (HRD) for SMEs, the Committee considered the manpower needs of SMEs and the ways to improve HRD support to SMEs, and exchanged views with government representatives on education and training policies.

The Committee also considered the Strategic and Organisational Review on the Vocational Training Council. A number of suggestions made by the Committee will be further considered by the Government.

On financing SMEs, it is decided that a task group should be formed to follow up on suggestions prioritised by the committee.

"We will continue to discuss other priority areas of support for SMEs in the coming meetings," Mr Li said.

"The SMEs Committee serves as a useful forum for Government to gather views and suggestions from the small and medium enterprises in Hong Kong.

"We will carefully consider views expressed by members of the Committee and consider how best to provide support for the further development of the SMEs," the Director-General of Industry, Mr Francis Ho, who is the Vice-chairman of the Committee, said.

The Committee also decided to establish a task group to further study issues relating to HRD.

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