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Constitution and Administration 17

The Financial Secretary is also in charge of the Government Budget. He is responsible under the Public Finance Ordinance for laying before the Legislative Council each year the Government's estimates of revenue and expenditure. In his annual Budget Speech, he outlines the Government's vision and policies for sustainable economic development, and he presents budgetary proposals and moves the Appropriation Bill, which gives legal effect to the annual expenditure proposals contained in the Budget.

Central Policy Unit

The Central Policy Unit provides advice on policy issues to meet the special requirements of the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary and submit reports directly to them.

The unit consults widely with business and professional circles, political organisations and concern groups, and the academic community. It undertakes in- depth examinations of complex policy issues, analyses options, conducts soundings of community feedback and recommends solutions for the Government's internal consideration. It also carries out research studies on various issues in Hong Kong and the Mainland, with particular emphasis on the Pearl River Delta and the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region. The unit is responsible for coordinating the annual Policy Address exercise.

The unit also provides secretariat support for the Commission on Strategic Development. The commission organised an Economic Summit in September 2006 to discuss how Hong Kong should respond to the challenges and opportunities arising from the Central Government's 11th Five-Year Plan. As a follow-up to the Economic Summit, the Commission submitted to the Chief Executive an Action Agenda in January 2007, setting out specific actions to be taken by the Government, the business sector and the relevant public organisations.

Efficiency Unit

The Efficiency Unit reports directly to the Chief Secretary for Administration and is tasked with pursuing public sector reform. It is an internal government agency providing management consultancy services. By combining its extensive understanding of policies, its specialised knowledge and its broad contacts and linkages throughout the Government and the private sector, the unit seeks to become the preferred consulting partner of government departments. It provides strategic and implementable solutions on people-based government services.

The unit operates an integrated call centre which provides a one-stop enquiry and complaint handling service for 16 departments. It advocates public private partnership and 'citizen-centric' service design and delivery in the public sector. The unit is also spearheading a licence simplification programme, customer management initiatives, and the development of a Youth Portal.

Sustainable Development Unit

The Sustainable Development Unit, established under the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, promotes sustainable development in both the Government

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