ENG-1999 — Page 146

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

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Quality Services

The Quality Services Division of the Industry Department provides important quality support services for Hong Kong industry. The Standards and Calibration Laboratory holds the official reference standards of measurement for Hong Kong and provides calibration services in various measurement areas. The Product Standards Information Bureau operates a library holding some 80 000 standards issued by different countries and international standards organisations.

The Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) was established in November 1998. HKAS provides a comprehensive range of voluntary accreditation service for local conformance assessment activities and promotes the acceptance of such activities both within and outside Hong Kong. As of September, more than 80 laboratories were accredited under the well-established Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) and two ISO 9000 quality system certification bodies were accredited under the Hong Kong Certification Body Accreditation Scheme (HKCAS). In addition, a new scheme, the Hong Kong Inspection Body Accreditation Scheme (HKIAS) was launched in December. Accreditation for product certification bodies and environmental management system certification bodies will be introduced at a later date.

Hong Kong Awards for Industry

These prestigious awards recognise and encourage excellence in different aspects of industrial performance. The scheme is supported by the Industry Department, and the annual award presentation ceremony is an important highlight in the calendar of events of manufacturers. The awards cover seven categories consumer product design, machinery and equipment design, productivity, quality, environmental performance, export marketing and technological achievement. In 1999, a total of 203 entries were received for the awards.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Committee was set up in 1996 to identify issues affecting SMEs and suggest measures to promote their development. Its members include representatives from major chambers of commerce, trade and industry support organisations and SME practitioners. In February, it organised an SME Week to promote the various services and facilities offered to SMEs.

The Government has reviewed and improved the terms of the Special Finance Scheme for SMEs, which was launched in August 1998 to help SMEs to secure finance from lending institutions in the midst of the financial turmoil through the provision of a government guarantee. The scheme helped more than 7 758 enterprises in obtaining loans amounting to $5,248 million in 1999.

In order to strengthen the development of SMEs in Hong Kong, a Small and Medium Enterprises Office (SMEO) was set up in the Industry Department on April 1. In addition to policy development and co-ordination of support programmes to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs, the SMEO also provides one-stop information through a Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Information Centre launched on August 30. Further information can be obtained from the web site at http://www.sme.gcn.gov.hk.