RESTRICTED
48.
In a wider environmental context, the international ban on ivory trading which came into force on 18 January 1990 severly affected workers and traders in ivory. It was necessary for the Government to enter a six-month reservation on Hong Kong's behalf to allow more time for the orderly disposal of the local stock of legally-acquired ivory and for retraining ivory workers. Since 17 July 1990, however, Hong Kong has complied fully with the requirements
of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
49. During 1989/90 public housing construction in the Territory reached a record number of about 54,000 flats compared to the private sector's total of about 34,000 flats. 99,000 people were offered new, subsidised accommodation under a comprehensive redevelopment programme
and various other clearance programmes.
50. To satisfy the growing aspiration for home purchase, the Housing Authority expanded its home ownership programme. In 1990/91, 16,500 flats will be offered for sale under the programme, and up to 3,500 interest-free loans will be offered to tenants of public housing flats and to low-income households, to help them purchase their own private flats.
Two other new initiatives are worthy of note: the finalisation of a proposal to sell quality rental flats to tenants in public housing estates, and the launching of a quality assurance programme for the housing design and construction process. The first will provide more
opportunity for home ownership while the second will ensure better quality housing in the years ahead.
ALAAEV/17
RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.