ENG-1991 — Page 347

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

information appearing in the European media which is of relevance or importance to Hong Kong.

Under the sponsored visitors programme, the Brussels Office invites opinion leaders and decision makers from the European Commission, member states governments and major European businesses to visit Hong Kong, to enable them to have a better understanding of its needs and importance. Members of the European Parliament and European media are also included in this programme. In addition, the Brussels Office arranges speaking engagements in many EEC countries for senior Hong Kong Government officials and leading members of the Hong Kong community, to explain recent developments. During the year, the Governor's visit to Germany and the Netherlands attracted considerable media interest.

Japan

The Tokyo Office is responsible for government's publicity efforts in Japan. It liaises with Japanese ministries and arranges programmes for Japanese government officials to visit Hong Kong. It also organises speaking engagements for senior government officers in Japan. During the year, the Chief Secretary Sir David Ford visited Japan to meet with Japanese banks and consortia interested in the new airport and related projects and his visit was widely covered by the media.

Australia and New Zealand

There are at present no Government offices in Australia and New Zealand, but a public relations firm has been appointed to provide basic public relations coverage in this region, commencing with the Governor's visit to Australia in May.

Printing and Publishing

A reputation for good printing quality, quick and reliable delivery and competitive prices continues to boost the international status of Hong Kong's printing industry. As a leading centre for printing and publishing, the territory's growth has led to the formation of 4 569 printing establishments, employing 39 118 people, and more than 200 publishing houses, including many from overseas which have set up offices or regional headquarters here. Continued growth of the industry during the year can be attributed to the confidence of Hong Kong printers in the future of Hong Kong. They are still investing substantially in advanced machinery and equipment and are taking a more positive step in developing the United States market.

The industry constitutes 10 per cent of all manufacturing establishments and six per cent of employment in the manufacturing sector. Most of the printing factories (77 per cent) are engaged in general jobbing work, and most of the remainder deal with related work, such as typesetting and bookbinding. There are also 22 newspaper printers.

Use of the latest technology, especially computerised equipment, has enabled the industry to become highly specialised. The local electronics industry contributes to the plant and equipment of the more sophisticated printing companies and also publishers, who are becoming increasingly involved in the use of data and word-processing systems for editorial production and stock control.

The sales and marketing of data and word-processing systems are now handled by more than 100 companies offering over 200 systems. The output data can be converted or

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