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Chamber Policy Work 
Priorities for 2004

Happy Year of the Monkey!!   As we enter the new year, in whichever calendar, you may be wondering what is the business plan for the Chamber for the coming year.   Well, our main priorities are the same as what we submitted to the Chief Executive before his Policy Address of January 7. 

We will monitor the progress of CEPA implementation and participate in developing more ways for closer economic integration with the Mainland, whether through a new and improved CEPA, or through more measures working with China to enhance Hong Kong's financial services center role, or through Pearl River Delta collaboration.  At the same time, we will ensure that Hong Kong keeps its international character, by emphasising English level proficiency, our international connectedness, the need for our education system to look outward, a high standard of public health, our rule of law, freedom of speech, high degree of transparency, etc. 

Then we will keep the pressure on the government on coming up with a credible plan to reduce the budget deficit.  We are very concerned that there is not a roadmap to get from here to 2008/2009 when the budget is supposed to be balanced.  There does not seem to be any effort to cut government expenditures and initiate serious civil service reform.  And there does not seem to be any effort to start broadening the tax base, both for revenue and for socio-economic-political reasons.  Our members can be assured that we will keep the pressure on the government and explain to the community why tough decisions have to be made.

Finally, since the whole society is concerned about constitutional development, we businessmen and women who live and work here are concerned also.  The Chairman's message in this magazine this month lays out the current Chamber position that we are glad the process has started, but alerts the community that this is a long and complex process that requires patience and comprehensive considerations.   We are open-minded now about the outcome, but our views will become more specific as we seek our members' views at key times in this process.  And we will be reflecting that to the government not only this year, but for as long as the consultation process lasts. 

These are the top policy priorities, but there are many items in our work plan that would benefit members individually.  Please attend our programmes, join our missions, and call us anytime you have a business problem.  We hope 2004 will be a good year for you, after a turbulent 2003.  Finally, I hope you have already joined the many of you who have renewed your membership for 2004.

Eden Woon
CEO
HKGCC