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Following is a question by the Hon Lui Ming-wah and a reply by the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam (in the absence of the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology), in the Legislative Council today (May 30):
Question:
In its proposal to re-organise the policy bureaux of the Government Secretariat, the Government proposes to replace the existing Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau by a new "Commerce and Economic Development Bureau". In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has assessed if the exclusion of "Industry" in the name of the new policy bureau reflects a neglect by the Government of the contribution of industries to the society and their importance to the economy;
(b) as many countries have ministries of industry or technology and their economic developments are very often driven by industries and technological innovations, whether it has assessed if the exclusion of "Industry" and "Technology" in the name of the new policy bureau will give people the impression that Hong Kong's economic policy is out of tune with this global trend, and that the Government does not attach importance to industries and technological innovations; and
(c) whether it will consider retitling the new policy bureau as the "Commerce, Industry, Technology and Economy Bureau", so as to reflect the functions and importance of commerce, industries and technologies in economic development?
Reply:
Madam President,
My reply to the three-part question is as follows:
(a) That the name of the new policy bureau does not include the word "industry", does not mean any neglect by the SAR Government of the contribution of industries to society and their importance to the economy. The proposed Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, will be responsible for formulating policies to support our manufacturing industries, similar to the existing Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau. Government's allocation of resources to this area of work will not be reduced. In fact, in the Report on the Economic Summit on "China's 11th Five-Year Plan and the Development of Hong Kong", the Action Agenda contains a number of proposed measures in relation to manufacturing industries, including assisting Hong Kong-owned factories in Guangdong to further develop in the Mainland. The new policy bureau will continue to provide appropriate support to Hong Kong industries to facilitate their continued development.
(b) The proposed "Commerce and Economic Development Bureau" will be responsible for various economy-related areas, and the term "Economic Development" already reflects a portfolio overseeing policy matters on industries (including traditional industries, creative industries and the film industry), tourism, communications (including telecommunications and broadcasting), technology (including information technology), fair competition, intellectual property, consumer rights protection, etc. As always, the SAR Government attaches importance to our industries and to technological innovation.
(c) It is impracticable for the name of the new policy bureau to reflect all its policy areas. We believe that the proposed name of the new policy bureau is appropriate and have no plan to change it.
Ends/Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 13:10
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