ENG-2004 — Page 422

360 Public Order

information to enhance the efficiency of customs clearance at the land boundary vehicular crossing points.

Performance Pledges

The department constantly reviews its performance pledges and ensures their compliance through the delivery of quality services. For better public accountability, the department regularly reviews the quality of its services with the four customer liaison groups connected with the air freight, sea freight, cross-boundary transport and dutiable commodities trades. A home

A home page (www.customs.gov.hk) provides comprehensive and updated departmental information to the public.

Promotion of Staff Integrity

To foster and sustain a strong culture of professional ethic and probity among. staff members of the department, the Integrity Steering Committee (ISC) restructured its composition in 2004 to improve its representation and established three dedicated Working Groups as its executive arms.

Headed by the Deputy Commissioner, the ISC conducted a survey for the benchmarking of international best practices of integrity management, updated the 'Code on Conduct and Discipline' and collaborated with the ICAC to organise anti- bribery seminars.

The department considers that a culture of healthy lifestyle and prudent personal finance is the key to building staff integrity. During the year, the ISC produced a series of training materials, including a new quarterly publication, The Pine, to inculcate a healthy culture at the workplace and in the family, a video, Prudent Financial Management: U-turn, to deliver the thought-provoking message through a drama, and an informative and inspiring booklet entitled Prudent Financial Management and Positive Living.

Independent Commission Against Corruption

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is a dedicated anti- corruption agency independent of the Civil Service. Its Commissioner is directly. accountable to the Chief Executive of the HKSAR.

2004 marked the 30th anniversary of the founding of the ICAC. During the year, the ICAC continued to keep corruption effectively in check through its three-pronged strategy of investigation, prevention and community education.

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According to an annual survey conducted by an independent consultancy, the Commission continued to enjoy a high degree of public confidence as an overwhelming 99 per cent of respondents expressed support for the anti-graft agency. In addition, over 70 per cent of the corruption complaints received were made non-anonymously.

The anti-graft body has continued to share its experience in fighting corruption with international counterparts. The Commissioner was invited, as the only speaker from Asia, to share Hong Kong's anti-corruption strategies at a European Union