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The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, officiated at the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices Opening Ceremony today (July 28).

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tsang said: "This $1.1 billion project has taken nearly three years (33 months) to complete. Not only does it provide a completely new and modernised working environment for our 3 000 colleagues working here, but it also marks a milestone in our promotion of better utilisation of land resources, by relocating government offices through effective use of our efficient transportation and telecommunication networks."

"Some of the departments were originally situated at commercial premises in prime areas. Relocating these departments here at the centre of West Kowloon will serve the dual purpose of reducing government's expenditure on rents and releasing sites in the city centre for commercial development," he continued.

He further pointed out that the efficiency of public services was a key factor not only in promoting economic development but also in enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness internationally.

"That is why in recent years we have been actively reforming the civil service and trying to make our structure lean and fit," he said.

Mr Tsang took the opportunity to pledge on behalf of his colleagues working in the Government Offices building of the Civil Service's commitment to respond positively to the new challenges and serve the community with devotion in a people oriented spirit.

The Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices provides a one-roof home for three departments, namely, the Rating and Valuation Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Student Financial Assistance Agency, as well as accommodation for branch offices and direct public service facilities for 11 other departments. These facilities include clinics of the Department of Health, a special child care centre of the Social Welfare Department, a Registration of Persons office under the Immigration Department, a licensing office and a driving test appointment office of the Transport Department, as well as the Kowloon West Job Centre of the Labour Department.

The Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices is situated at 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road. The site was originally a car-park of 4 600 square meters. After redevelopment, it now provides a total of 55 000 square meters of office space and facilities. This is a 19-storey building with 4 levels of car-park. The building was constructed using the "Design and Build" approach. The construction started in January 1997 and was successfully completed at the end of 1999.

End/Friday, July 28, 2000

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