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Following is the transcript of a media session by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, after meeting with representatives from the labour union and employers today (February 27) (English portion):

Reporter: What sort of improvements the Government has put forward today and how does the talk progress?

Stephen Ip: We had a very useful and constructive discussion. Both sides agreed that we should consider measures to help economic development under CEPA and to help create job opportunities for the local workforce. What will happen is the creation of more jobs for the local workforce, I must emphasise, this is most important. What was agreed was that we have the Supplementary Labour Scheme at the moment but there are many restrictions under the Supplementary Labour Scheme. So we will take another look at the scheme to see whether we can improve the existing scheme to facilitate industrialists to invest in Hong Kong, to create jobs. And if there is a need for skilled labour, it will be easier for them to do so. So we will consider what sort of measures we will need to do, and the improvement areas, and then we will have another meeting with both sides.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion)

Ends/Friday, February 27, 2004

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