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The Government would, as always, build a conducive business environment, create more jobs and develop various employment and training schemes for job seekers, the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, said today (August 22).

Mr Tsang was speaking after a visit to Sham Shui Po this afternoon to better understand the provision of employment assistance services in the district and the improvement works being done to community facilities. These improvement works will not only bring better facilities to residents but also create more jobs.

Accompanied by the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, and Acting District Officer (Sham Shui Po), Ms Jasmine Choi, Mr Tsang's first stop was the Cheung Sha Wan Centre of YMCA Hong Kong.

The centre provides a variety of employment assistance programmes in co-operation with the Employees Retraining Board or government departments. These include retraining courses, the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme, the Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme and the Intensive Employment Assistance Projects (IEAP). The centre also provides a one-stop job-matching service for local domestic helpers and their employers.

"The programmes show how, in partnership with non-government organisations, the Government provides assistance to people to meet the challenge of unemployment.  Through the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme, for example, our youth can acquire not only useful vocational training, but also much-needed soft and inter-personal skills," Mr Tsang said.

"I am glad to see that over a 12-month period about 1,400 people have participated in the four programmes provided by the centre."

Mr Tsang met a group of the centre's employment assistance service users and listened to their views on employment issues. He encouraged them to make good use of the services provided by the centre to enhance their competitiveness. He also reassured them that driving Hong Kong's economy ahead at full steam was a priority during his term in office. The Government would make job creation a key consideration in policy formulation, he said.

Mr Tsang then visited the Po On Road Public Library. The renovation of the library is one of the five projects included in the "Renovation of Libraries ? Phase 1 Works" programme.

The $16 million renovation project of the Po On Road Public Library began last month (July) and is expected to be completed early next year.

"The project, together with similar renovations of four other public libraries in different districts, will create a total of 145 jobs. Through the renovations, library users will enjoy better facilities," Mr Tsang said.

The Chief Executive also visited Lai Kok Community Hall, where improvement works are scheduled to begin early next year (2006). The $12 million works will include improving the air-conditioning, lighting and sound systems, as well as stage and hall design. The Lai Kok Community Hall is one of the three community facilities in various districts earmarked for upgrading to provide better venues for community, cultural and leisure events. About 70 jobs will be created by the three improvement projects.

"The library and community hall projects show how community facility improvement works can benefit our construction workers. We will see if it is possible to commit to more improvement projects of this kind," Mr Tsang said.

During his visit, Mr Tsang chatted with customers in a restaurant, spoke to fish and meat stall operators and walked along Apliu Street, which is a favourite shopping place for local and overseas visitors.

"Talking to stall owners about how their businesses are faring and chatting with local residents about their livelihood helps me stay in touch with public sentiment," he said.

Ends/Monday, August 22, 2005

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