The Chief Executive has said that Hong Kong will most likely record negative growth for the coming quarters as the events of September 11 further worsen the economy. A survey conducted by the Liberal Party showed that businesses were equally pessimistic. Nearly 90 per cent of enterprises and 75 per cent of individuals interviewed said they were unhappy with the current business environment, and that prospects for the economy were far from rosy.

Last month, I wrote that eight political parties and associations in Legco had formed a cross-party coalition to hammer out seven initiatives to stimulate the economy. Disappointingly, none of our proposals were accepted by the Financial Secretary.

However, I have insisted that the government should lower various fees and charges directly affecting businesses and the cost of living for the general public, because they are too high. These include water and sewage charges, education fees, medical expenses, vehicle licence fees, driving licence fees and business registration fees. The government must cut its expenditure and reduce fees to ease pressure on the community, and industrial and commercial sectors. I am expecting a positive response to this request.

At a time when public utility and public transportation companies are facing different operational and financial situations, I find it is inappropriate that the government has asked them for a straight reduction in their charges. Legco passed a motion that the government should encourage such organisations to lower their charges or provide special discounts for users based on their particular circumstances.

The survey also showed that more than 75 per cent of respondents consider existing rules and measures draconian and unreasonable, and that an overhaul is necessary.

Other regulations, such as the Occupational Safety and Health (Display Screen Equipment) Regulation -- which I strongly opposed recently -- also hamper business. The regulation aims to protect employees who always work on the computer by setting limitations on font size, word space, brightness of monitors and even lighting in the workplace. Company heads who failing to comply with these regulations would be liable to prosecution. Such complicated regulations do little except hinder business.

Another cause for concern is the issue of business licences. Many businesses must apply for more than one licence or certificate, but their applications need to be submitted to a number of departments, which takes time and wastes manpower and money.

In the catering sector, for example, vendors must apply for a licence based on the kind of food they provide and nature of the venture. Only after receiving approval from by the Food and Environment Hygiene Department, the Buildings Department, and the Fire Services Department are they allowed to start operations.