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The Government announced today (August 27) the following senior appointments:
* Mr Joshua Law Chi-kong, Director-General of Trade and Industry, will take up the post of Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China to the World Trade Organisation on September 16, 2002. He will replace the incumbent Permanent Representative Mr Stuart Wreford Harbinson who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on September 10, 2002; and
* Mr Kevin Ho Chi-ming, Director of Administration and Development in the Department of Justice, will replace Mr Joshua Law as Director-General of Trade and Industry on October 19, 2002.
Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph W P Wong said: "Mr Law has distinguished abilities and considerable experience in promoting Hong Kong's external trade relations. I have full confidence in him taking up the post of Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China to the World Trade Organisation."
Speaking on the appointment of Mr Kevin Ho as Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Wong said: "Mr Ho is a veteran Administrative Officer who has good leadership and management abilities. With his previous experience as Assistant Director-General of Trade and Deputy Director-General of Trade, I am confident that Mr Ho can lead the Trade and Industry Department in meeting the challenges ahead."
On the retirement of Mr Stuart Harbinson, the Secretary for the Civil Service said: "Mr Harbinson has served in the civil service for 24 years, providing distinguished service to the community. In particular, he has made sterling contribution to Hong Kong in its participation in the activities of the World Trade Organisation. We sincerely wish him a happy retirement."
On the post of Director of Administration and Development in the Department of Justice, it will be filled by Ms Annie Tam Kam-lan, Cyberport Coordinator. Ms Tam will join the Department on October 15, 2002 with a view to filling the post on October 19, 2002.
Brief biographical notes on the four officers are set out below:
Mr Stuart Wreford Harbinson
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Aged 54, Mr Harbinson joined the Administrative Service of the Hong Kong Government in June 1978. He rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A on January 1, 1994.
Mr Harbinson has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Security Branch, New Territories Administration, City and New Territories Administration, Civil Service Branch, Trade Department and Trade and Industry Branch. He was Deputy Director-General of Trade from April 1988 to July 1991, Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry from July 1991 to March 1992, and Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service from April 1992 to June 1994. He was appointed Permanent Representative of Hong Kong to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (later renamed Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China to the World Trade Organisation) in September 1994.
Mr Joshua LAW Chi-kong
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Aged 45, Mr Law joined the Administrative Service of the Hong Kong Government in September 1980. He rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A on January 1, 2001.
Mr Law has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Urban Services Department, Office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, City and New Territories Administration, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, Lands and Works Branch, Constitutional Affairs Branch and Civil Service Branch. He was Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower from March 1996 to May 1997 and Private Secretary to Chief Executive from May 1997 to August 1999. He took up the post of Director-General of Trade (later renamed Director-General of Trade and Industry) in August 1999.
Mr Kevin HO Chi-ming
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Aged 53, Mr Ho joined the civil service in January 1972 and the Administrative Service in October 1977. He rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A on January 1, 2001.
Mr Ho has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Trade, Industry and Customs Department, Environment Branch, Home Affairs Department, City and New Territories Administration, Monetary Affairs Branch and General Duties Branch. He was Assistant Director-General of Trade from June 1990 to April 1993, Deputy Director-General of Trade from April 1993 to March 1995, Deputy Secretary for the Treasury from April 1995 to August 1997, and Deputy Secretary for Transport from August 1997 to June 2001. He took up his current position of Director of Administration and Development in the Department of Justice in June 2001.
Ms Annie TAM Kam-lan
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Aged 45, Ms Tam joined the Administrative Service of the Hong Kong Government in August 1980. She rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B on January 1, 1999.
Ms Tam has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former New Territories Administration, City and New Territories Administration, Home Affairs Branch, Health and Welfare Branch, Economic Services Branch, University and Polytechnic Grants Committee, Chief Secretary's Office and Constitutional Affairs Branch. She was Deputy Director of Government Supplies from July 1997 to June 1999 and took up the position of Deputy Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting (later renamed Cyberport Coordinator) in June 1999.
End/Tuesday, August 27, 2002
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