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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (July 18) visited the Tai Po district to see the latest progress of a number of development projects aimed at promoting local tourism.
Accompanied by the Tai Po District Officer, Mr Eddie Poon, Mr Tsang visited the Waterfront Park Pier Deck which is the site of a sea-land market, a social enterprise launched under the Enhancing Self-reliance Through District Partnership programme. The market is to improve the livelihoods of and employment opportunity for fishermen, women and young people from the grass roots as well as other under-privileged groups.
Through the efforts of the Tai Po District Council, non-government organisations and government departments, the market was officially open in May and operates on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
The sea market consists of specially decorated boats which run ecological tours to outlying islands in the Tai Po district and sight-seeing tours in Tolo Harbour.
On land, there are 20 booths providing opportunities for target groups to start their own businesses. Fishermen will hold demonstrations on netting and different models of fishing boats are displayed.
Mr Tsang said he was happy that the market had met with such a keen response. "As a social enterprise, the project helps the less-advantaged gain confidence and return to the job market. It also shows the creativity of the community in making the best use of the resources in the district," he said.
From the Waterfront Park Pier Deck, Mr Tsang took a boat ride to Sam Mun Tsai Fishermen Village. With funds contributed by private sectors via the Tai Po District Office (TPDO), the village was renovated by the Construction Industry Training Authority late last year. TPDO is liaising with Sam Mun Tsai Village Committee to enhance the appeal of the village for local tourists.
Visiting a fisherman's family, Mr Tsang was pleased to see that through the joint efforts of various parties, the living environment of the residents had received noticeable improvements.
Before ending the tour, the Chief Executive stopped at Tai Mei Tuk where he was updated on the progress of the artificial bathing beach project at Lung Mei, one of the 25 priority community projects identified by the Government. Expected to be completed by the end of 2010, the beach aims to promote local tourism and strengthen recreational infrastructure in Tai Po.
Mr Tsang also toured the Four Lanes Area in Tai Po Market and was briefed on the latest revitalisation projects of the area which covers Kwong Fuk Lane, Tai Wing Lane, Tai Kwong Lane and Tai Ming Lane. He visited a nearby restaurant and chatted with the customers to learn more about their daily lives.
Ends/Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:43
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