ENG-1987 — Page 93

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

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The Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, which seeks to introduce quality assurance in Hong Kong's testing laboratories, accredited nine laboratories during the year and extended the scope of its accreditation to include laboratories which test construction materials.

The Industrial Investment Promotion Division, through its 'One Stop Unit' in Hong Kong and overseas offices in San Francisco, New York, London, Brussels and Tokyo, helped to attract $306.25 million worth of overseas investment into Hong Kong during the year, despite a fiercely competitive environment in which prospective investors are pressed by other parties in the region and by development authorities in their own country. These investments channel valuable new technology and expertise to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Productivity Council

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The Hong Kong Productivity Council was established by statute in 1967 to promote the increased productivity of industry in Hong Kong. It is financed by an annual government subvention and by fees earned from its services. The council consists of a chairman and 20 members appointed by the Governor. Its membership is drawn from the management, labour, academic and professional fields and from government departments.

The council has over 300 staff members with expertise in a wide range of disciplines. It provides a variety of training programmes, industrial and management consultancies and technological support services using resources available in its nine operational divisions: Computer Services, Electronics Services, Engineering Services, Metals Development, Indus- trial and Management Consultancy, Training, Environmental Management, Information Services and Administration.

Its facilities include five training centres - in Tsim Sha Tsui headquarters, To Kwa Wan, Tai Kok Tsui, Mong Kok and Central District; electronic data processing facilities; microprocessor application, industrial chemistry, metal finishing, heat treatment, die casting and environmental control laboratories; a computer-aided design service centre and computer aided manufacturing workshop; a technical reference library and an on-line information retrieval service.

Funds were provided by the government for the second year of a three-year-programme to enable the council to provide an integrated industrial automation service and an enhanced metals development service. Initial efforts were concentrated on equipment installation, staff recruitment and training, and developing basic skills in computer-aided design and manufacturing. Limited manufacturing support services and training pro- grammes in advanced machining, and design and manufacture of moulds were offered to industry on a progressive basis.

There was sustained demand for the consultancy and technical support services from both local and overseas companies. The council completed 480 consultancy projects, including feasibility studies, production management, new plant projects, personnel recruitment, marketing and technical assistance.

The council organised over 500 training courses for 12 500 participants, covering man- agement and supervisory techniques, advanced programming and electronic data processing, and a range of technology programmes for various industries. It also organised exhibitions on clothing technology, computer software and automation technology. Twenty-six overseas study missions and visits were organised for local industrialists to gain first-hand information on the latest technology in various areas, including electroplating, electroform- ing, hot metal working, environmental control, Just-In-Time system, quality control, precision tooling, advanced plastic processing and computerised materials management.