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1. Project to help push into delta

2. Unimpressed by the ministers' 'sacrifice'

1. Project to help push into delta
Foster Wong, The Standard, 11 January 2003

The government said yesterday its plan to build a logistics park on North Lantau would enable the SAR to capture more business from the Pearl River Delta.

The plan, which was part of the policies announced on Wednesday, was currently under study and a feasibility report would be submitted to the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council later this month, it said.

The proposed facility would focus on trade management, modern cargo infrastructure and information connectivity.

``Our objective is to have one-stop shop services offering smooth and swift supply-chain management for high-value-added goods,'' Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip said.

On information technology, Ip said the administration was exploring the feasibility of developing an open and neutral IT platform to facilitate exchange of data and information among players in the supply chain.

``The use of electronic means for information flow would lower the operating costs and boost competitiveness,'' Ip said.

A feasibility study on the Digital Trade and Transportation Network (DTTN) system was already under way, he said.

``We understand the urgency of enhancing our competitiveness in the industry and we hope to confirm the site selection and feasibility studies as soon as possible.''

Ip said a study by the State Development Planning Commission on integration with the Pearl River Delta was expected to be completed by the middle of the year.

Separately, Ip said the Labour Department would launch training subsidy programmes by the end of the year to boost the employment of middle-aged workers.

Under the plan, employers would receive a HK$4,500 three-month subsidy to finance training for workers aged 40 or above. Some 3,500 people would benefit from the scheme, Ip said.

2. Unimpressed by the ministers' 'sacrifice'
Letter to the Editor, SCMP 11 January 2003

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa suggested, in his policy address, that the 10 per cent pay cut for his ministers was all about "joining hands with the community".

Is it really? On June 30, 2002, before the introduction of the "accountability system", the salary for a D10 civil servant (the highest point on the directorate pay scale) was $227,450.

On July 1, 2002, those ministers who were appointed from the civil service (all of whom were then ranked lower than D10) moved neatly to a salary of $298,115.

Mr Tung now expects us to applaud the fact that these individuals are about to reduce their salaries to $268,305 which still represents increases of at least 18 per cent since June 30, 2002.

The calculations in respect of the chief secretary's and secretary for justice's emoluments are even more mind-boggling.

Which particular community are these individuals joining hands with?

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED