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   The Land Registry Trading Fund has successfully managed a series of major changes to technology and work practices over the last 12 years. In doing this, its focus has always been on improving the scope and quality of its services to customers.

   The remarks were given by the Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning & Lands), Mrs Rita Lau, today (August 3) at a reception to mark the 12th Anniversary of the Land Registry Trading Fund. She was confident that the Land Registry would meet all new challenges with integrity, determination and success, and that it would continue to bring better service to Hong Kong.

   Also speaking at the event, the Land Registrar, Mr Kim Salkeld, said that the effort by Land Registry staff to improve services and respond to customer needs over the year had been outstanding and the results were impressive.  

  "Central registration was introduced on February 12 this year, supported by a completely new IT infrastructure.  This has improved the range of services, greatly increased ease of access, extended the hours of service substantially and allowed fees for information and copying services to be reduced significantly," he said.

   Mr Salkeld said that the new system had been given a great test in the first few months of operation due to a dramatic increase in business volume.  Over the first month, demand for search services increased by 40% while the workload for registration has been up by 30% since the launch.  Not only has the demand been met but new performance pledges with quicker response time have been set.  

   Taking account of the increased business volume, he estimated that customers had paid about $12 million less over the first four months of the operation of new system due to the fee reduction than would have been the case under the old system.

   Mr Salkeld thanked Mrs Alice Lee who retired on July 29 after serving as Registry Manager since 1996.  "She has been at the heart of the improvements the department has made over the last decade and her career has been capped with the successful launch of the central registration system," Mr Salkeld said.  He also commended all staff for their hard work in setting up the new system and dealing with the huge increase in workload.

   Looking ahead, Mr Salkeld said that with the way towards title registration now set by the passage of the Land Titles Ordinance, more profound change was in store for the Land Registry.

   "Getting ready for the launch of the title register was the major new task for the Registry over the next couple of years. However, the commitment to improve services and response to customers will remain the focus of the department?s daily work."  

"There is much more that we have to do together to accomplish what we have set out to achieve ? giving Hong Kong registration services that are second to none in the efficiency and value that they give to society," he said.

   The reception was held to mark the 12th anniversary of the establishment of the Land Registry as the first trading fund department in Hong Kong.  Attending the reception were legislators, members of the Law Society, academics and representatives from solicitors? firms, banks, property agents, government departments and other customers of the Land Registry.

   Copies of the pamphlets listing the Land Registry?s new performance pledges are now available for collection at all offices of the Land Registry and District Offices.

Ends/Wednesday, August 3, 2005

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