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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:

As part of its quality drive and to give recognition to contractors, supervising teams/supervisors and workers who provide outstanding services in construction and maintenance services for public housing, the Housing Authority (HA) is organizing the "Quality Public Housing Construction and Maintenance Awards 2003" jointly with the industry. This is the second year for the awards to be presented.

Co-organizers of the awards include Hong Kong Construction Association, Hong Kong Federation of Electrical & Mechanical Contractors Ltd., Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, Construction Industry Training Authority and Vocational Training Council.

Ms Ada Fung, Assistant Director / Procurement of the Housing Department (HD) cum Chairman of the organizing committee, said the HA aims to strengthen partnership with the industry in a bid to improve quality standards. The award demonstrates its joint efforts with the industry in promoting quality craftsmanship and maintenance services for public housing. In addition to awarding outstanding contractors and their staff, good management practices can be promoted through experience sharing amongst the contractors.

The awards are classified into two categories, namely "New Works Projects" and "Maintenance Services Projects", with "Outstanding Contractors Award", "Outstanding Supervising Team/Supervisors Award" and "Outstanding Workers Award" to be presented in each category.

Ms Fung said the selection criteria would be based on the candidates' job-related performance as well as their professional practices on craftsmanship, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, ethical integrity, partnering and customer service.

The deadline for nomination is 29 August 2003 (Friday) and the Prize Presentation Ceremony will be held in early-November 2003.

Ms Fung encouraged members of the Estate Management Advisory Committees, public housing estate tenants, potential candidates' direct supervisors to make nominations for the awards.

Nomination forms can be obtained from the HA's estate management offices and construction and maintenance services contractors' offices. They can also be downloaded from the Authority's homepage at www.housingauthority.gov.hk.

End/Thursday, 31 July 2003

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