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The Government announced today (September 17) the establishment of the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification.
The new Council's priority task is to advise the Chief Executive on the development of the testing and certification industry. It will also explore new business opportunities for the industry and ways to enhance its professional standards.
Welcoming the establishment of the Council, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, said: "The setting up of the Council is a milestone in the development of the industry. It demonstrates the staunch support from Government for the sustained growth of this sector. The Government will render full support to the work of the Council."
The Council will be chaired by Professor Ching Pak-chung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. With extensive experience in the testing and certification industry, Professor Ching was the Chairman of the Accreditation Advisory Board, an advisory body of the Innovation and Technology Commission for the testing industry, from 2000 to 2006. Other Council members include representatives from the testing industry, business sector, professional institutes as well as relevant public bodies and government departments.
The appointments will take effect from today for two years. The Council will have its first meeting on September 29, and is expected to make recommendations on a three-year development plan for the testing and certification industry in six months' time.
The newly appointed Council membership is as follows:
Professor Ching Pak-chung (Chairman)
Dr Richard Fung Lap-chung
Professor Kwan Hoi-shan
Mr Dominic Lam Chun-hong
Dr Michael Lam Po-hing
Mr Joseph Lau Man-wai
Ms Christina Law Sau-mui
Mr Lee Wai-kwok
Ms Marianne Leung Yang Shih-ti
Dr Lo Wai-kwok
Ms Evelyn Lu
Mr Bernie Ting Wai-cheung
Mr Spencer Yeung King-chung
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Productivity Council or representative
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council or representative
Executive Director of the Vocational Training Council or representative
Director-General of Trade and Industry or representative and
Commissioner for Innovation and Technology or representative
Testing and certification is one of the six economic areas identified by the Task Force on Economic Challenges for promotion. Following the Task Force's recommendation, the Chief Executive announced on June 22 the decision to establish a Hong Kong Council of Testing and Certification within three months to work with the industry to formulate a three-year market-oriented development plan.
Ends/Thursday, September 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:00
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