Technical information as an aid to economic planning and
investment
15.28.
Technical information can also be useful to economic planners and investors who may use it to identify trends in technology. Economic planners use the analysis to improve their efforts in assisting emerging industry. Investors use the information when determining their long-term investment strategies.
Technical Information centres
15.29.
Patent offices in addition to their role as searching and examining authorities have increasingly taken on the role of providing specialised technical information services. For example, the United Kingdom Patent Office has a Search and Advisory Service which perform searches at limited cost. The task is performed by patent examiners. Each investigation is tailored to meet the specific search requests of the client and the most cost effective route for comprehensive information retrieval is selected. A subject matter search using computerized patent database will be from about £120 to £200. A bibliographic search is cheaper still but if further search has to be made costs would typically range from £200 to £400. The United Kingdom Patent Office also promotes the direct use of its facilities. It produces pamphlets on various intellectual property matters and conducts a "Roadshow" seminar which publicizes the services of the office and the value of technical information. The Swiss Patent Office provides similar services as do a number of patent offices worldwide. Other, non-patent office, providers of such services include INPI in France and the Japan Patent Information Organisation (JAPIO) in Japan.
The need for technical information in Hong Kong
15.30.
It is commonly asserted that Hong Kong industry has retained its competitiveness by relying on the cheap labour forces available in the region, rather than seeking to produce more expensive, sophisticated products for the world market. In paragraph 7.13, we have also observed how Hong Kong industry is very involved in OEM industry by which products are made to the overseas purchaser's specifications, rather than from specifications formulated in Hong Kong. So far these strategies have been effective. However, there is a risk that Hong Kong's competitiveness could be reduced unless its industries innovate further. There is in any event a tendency for production to become more sophisticated.
15.31.
From the evidence we have, the use of technical information in industry in Hong Kong is relatively unsophisticated compared with our industrialized competitors. We consider however that the demand for access to technical information could well increase rapidly.
15.32.
In order to be aware of new developments we consider that Hong Kong businessmen should have the facility to make use of technical information for the purposes outlined in paragraphs 15.20 to 15.28. We consider also that specialised technical information centres as outlined in para. 15.29 above which provide access to technical information as well as trained personnel to assist in assessing such information should be available. Other than the facilities of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) (see
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