Session No. 5 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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Question : For 2010-11, the relevant financial provision is estimated to be increased to 150.5 (million dollars), representing a slight increase of 3.0% over that of 2009-10. As the economy of Hong Kong has not fully recovered, the Administration should step up efforts in promoting our economy as well as business facilitation measures. Under such circumstances, why is there only a slight increase of the provision? Does it imply a lack of new initiatives on the part of the Administration in taking forward the relevant work? Asked by : Hon. WONG Ting-kwong Reply : The provision under Programme (2) is mainly for the salaries, allowances, other operating expenses and general non-recurrent expenditure related to the work of formulating commerce and industry policies. Provision for 2010-11 ($150.5 million) is $4.4 million (3.0%) higher than the revised estimate for 2009-10 ($146.1 million). This is mainly due to increased salary provision arising from staff changes and increased cash flow requirement for non-recurrent items. The expenses for the implementation work of measures in relation to commerce and industry will be separately borne by other relevant departments and organisations. Policies and work to step up Hong Kong’s economy and business facilitation are set out in the ensuing paragraphs. As regards support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), we will continue to monitor the operation of the SME Funding Schemes to ensure that they provide appropriate support to the industries. We will also continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities and the trade, to provide necessary support to the Hong Kong enterprises operating in the Mainland, to enable them to restructure, upgrade and tap the Mainland domestic market. In addition, we will oversee the effective implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, including measures for early and pilot implementation in Guangdong, and seek to conclude more market liberalisation and trade and investment facilitation measures. To assist Hong Kong exporters to sustain their business and develop new markets, the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) will review and seek to enhance its services on a regular basis. ECIC has also decided to extend the provision of free buyer credit check services to exporters and its annual policy fee waiver. Invest Hong Kong will continue to encourage and assist overseas, Mainland and Taiwan companies, with the potential to contribute to Hong Kong’s economic and strategic development, to set up and expand their operations here through reaching out to individual companies, seminars, marketing and advertising campaigns. In the coming year, Invest Hong Kong will also strengthen its aftercare services to better support those companies already set up in Hong Kong. As regards trade facilitation, the Government has been actively pursuing measures to facilitate trade and movement of goods. For example, the Customs and Excise Department will soon roll out the electronic Road Cargo System to provide seamless customs clearance for cross-boundary trucks.
Directory: citb -> doc doc -> Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc Download 4.7 Mb. Share with your friends:
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