ENG-1989 — Page 105

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Textiles and Apparel, Industrial Consultancy, Training, Environmental Management, Information Services and Administration.

Its facilities include five training centres (in the 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 cast- ing 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.

In 1989, significant progress was made in implementing a programme of new and ex- panded productivity-enhancement services endorsed by the Industry Development Board. A surface mount technology laboratory, a radio frequency and digital communication laboratory and a photo-chemical machining laboratory commenced operation. A sheet- metal-working laboratory will be completed soon.

There was sustained demand for the consultancy and technical support services from both local and overseas companies. In 1989, the council completed 944 consultancy proj- ects, including feasibility studies, production management, new plant projects, personnel recruitment, marketing and technical assistance.

The council organised over 500 training programmes for 13 600 participants, covering management and supervisory techniques, advanced programming and electronic data processing, and a range of technology programmes for various industries. There was an increased demand for in-plant courses and some 100 programmes were organised to meet the specific training needs of individual companies.

The council also ran exhibitions on computer-aided design, manufacture and testing, computer software and linkage industry. 12 overseas study missions and visits were organised for local industrialists to gain first-hand information on the latest technology in various areas, including clothing manufacture, mechatronics, die and mould, plastics, metal working, electroplating and on such management techniques as quality-control circles, Just-In-Time and total quality control.

Construction went ahead for a special purpose headquarters building for the council at Kowloon Tong. The building is expected to be completed late in 1990.

The council is the government's agent for all matters concerning the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO). During the year, under the sponsorship of the APO, the council held two seminars on management information systems for the clothing industry and pollution in metropolitan areas.

Hong Kong Industrial Estates Corporation

The Hong Kong Industrial Estates Corporation develops and manages fully-serviced industrial estates to enable industries with a relatively high level of technology that cannot operate in ordinary multi-storey factory buildings to set up in Hong Kong. Currently the corporation is responsible for managing two industrial estates. The Tai Po Industrial Estate, which has a total of 69 hectares of land, is virtually full, with only three hectares left along the seafront, an area reserved for high-technology industries. The Yuen Long Industrial Estate provides 67 hectares of industrial land, of which more than half has already been sold or allocated to manufacturers. Apart from being fully serviced with roads, drains and sewers, electricity and water, the estates have good transport links to the urban area, the container terminal at Kwai Chung and the Hong Kong International Air- port. The corporation's estates have been planned to provide a high-quality environment for modern industrial projects. In order to protect this environment the corporation

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