ENG-1986 — Page 272

IMMIGRATION AND TOURISM

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Belgium, Denmark, Japan and Luxembourg have agreed to resettle a limited number from Hong Kong. As part of an international effort to reduce the size of the refugee problem in Hong Kong, the government also agreed to accept 20 Vietnamese refugees of Chinese origin from the open centres for local settlement each month up to a maximum of 250. This local settlement scheme started in April 1985 and so far 60 refugees have taken advantage of the scheme by accepting Hong Kong's offer.

In response to a request made by the UNHCR, the government decided in February to establish a RASRO (Rescue at Sea Resettlement Offers) Transit Centre in Hong Kong to help solve the problem faced by RASRO participating countries in resettling refugees rescued at sea within the normal guarantee period of 90 days. The plan was to permit the transfer of the overdue cases from other camps in the region to the closed centres in Hong Kong so that more time would be allowed for the resettlement processing of these cases. The centre came into operation in May 1986 and refugees admitted to the centre are allowed to stay for a maximum of 180 days. The number of RASRO cases using the centre at any one time is limited to 100 and the cost of maintenance of these refugees is fully recoverable from the UNHCR.

The result of all the efforts made during the year was a net reduction of 1 404 refugees in Hong Kong. This situation enabled the government to close down Cape Collinson Closed Centre in April and to begin work on the amalgamation of the two open centres, the Jubilee Transit Centre and the Kai Tak Transit Centre, at the Kai Tak site. The conversion of the Kai Tak site started in July and is scheduled for completion in January 1987 when the refugees in Jubilee Transit Centre will be transferred to Kai Tak.

Accommodating refugees in Hong Kong cost the government $118 million in 1986, of which_$106 million was spent on closed centres and $12 million on open centres. The UNHCR contributed $35 million towards the care and maintenance of refugees in these centres. It started to fund the educational and language training programmes for refugees from the beginning of 1986.

For those 3 512 who had arrived in Hong Kong before July 1982 and still live in the open centres, few restrictions are imposed upon their movements either inside or outside the centres. They are allowed to take up temporary employment to support themselves and their families. More than 85 of the refugees have been living in the open centres for over seven years.

Tourism

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Hong Kong earned an estimated $17,300' million from tourism during the of 20 per cent over the 1985 amount.

Hong Kong Tourist Association

year, an increase

The Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) is a statutory body set up in 1957. Comprising members from the private sector whose businesses are based on tourism, the HKTA co-ordinates the activities of the industry and advises the government and the industry itself on measures aimed at ensuring growth.

In December 1986, it had 1 526 members, an increase of six per cent over the 1985 figure. The Chairman and Members of the Board of Management of the HKTA are appointed by the Governor.

The association derives over 90 per cent of its income from a subvention from the government, and the remainder of its revenue from membership dues, the sale of publications and souvenirs, and from tours.