TNAG-1855-FCO40-2630-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 23

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 22 February 1989

香港立法局 一九八九年二月二十二日

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FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Yes, Sir, we do take a long-term view of the development of all aspects of trade in Hong Kong.

蘇周艷屏議員問:本港轉口貿易突超強勢,長遠來說,是否會對作為本港經濟基礎的製造業造成 不良影響?政府會否考慮加強對製造業的發展及協助?

FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Sir, I do not think the development of one type of trade in or from Hong Kong is likely to have a detrimental effect on another sector. There may, I am probably sticking my neck out here a bit, of course be some pressure on the labour market. We have seen that already. As far as giving further assistance to industry is concerned, I have dealt with that subject at some length on other occasions. There are many ways in which we give indirect assistance to industry in Hong Kong and we will develop those methods over time.

倪少傑議員問:葵涌貨櫃碼頭的貨櫃處理收費日見高昂,致令部分船公司韓往高雄及星加坡付運 對本港轉口貿易構成一定的威脅,請問當局有否留意,本港貨櫃處理費用加幅過高會削弱本港 作為國際轉口港的優勢地位?當局有否考慮對策?

FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Sir, the container port is operated, as Mr. NGAI Shui-kit knows, by the private sector. We do, of course, take an interest in the charges levied but we do not attempt to control those charges. There are various mechanisms in place for expanding the container port over time and we are very conscious of the need to expand the container port so that it can handle the whole of Hong Kong's trade.

MR. McGREGOR: Sir, given the importance of Mr. BARROW's initial question, could it be referred to the Trade Advisory Board for further advice?

FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I shall consider that, Sir.

MR. CHEONG: Sir, as the Financial Secretary said, the Government takes a long-term view of trade policies. Could I ask whether or not there is a resident economist in the Trade and Industry Branch to help Government evaluate the long-term macro-view of the various effects of development? If not, where does