The LegCo Reporter 2003-2004		Issue No. 7 (20 November 2003)
At its meeting on 19 November 2003, the Legislative Council passed the following resolution: Resolution moved by Hon Cyd HO Sau-lan relating to the extension of the period for amending Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549) (Commencement) (No. 2) Notice 2003, Chinese Medicine (Fees) Regulation (Cap. 549 sub. leg. E) (Commencement) (No. 2) Notice 2003 and Chinese Medicines Regulation (Cap. 549 sub. leg. F) (Commencement) (No. 2) Notice 2003. At the same meeting, the Council passed the following two motions with no legislative effect: (1) Motion on "Backbone industries as part of the infrastructure", moved by Dr Hon LUI Ming-wah as amended by Hon SIN Chung-kai "That, as the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement will bring about new opportunities for the manufacturing industry in Hong Kong, this Council urges the Government to embrace the new development with a new way of thinking and treat backbone industries as part of the infrastructure, and to formulate strategic measures and study the establishment of a border industrial zone or a river-loop industrial zone to attract suitable backbone industries to invest and set up factories and production lines in Hong Kong in order that they will become the driving forces of their industrial chains, thereby attracting related trades and industries to the territory, with a view to revitalizing the local manufacturing industry and promoting the sustained growth of Hong Kong's economy." (2) Motion on "Grasping the opportunities brought about by CEPA to enhance employment", moved by Hon CHAN Yuen-han as amended by Hon Kenneth TING Woo-shou, Hon LEE Cheuk-yan and Dr Hon YEUNG Sum "That, as the unemployment rate in the territory remains high with the unemployed population reaching 300 000, this Council urges that, in order to tie in with the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) which will be formally implemented in 2004, the Government should expeditiously honour the pledge in this year's Policy Address to set up a high-level task force to improve the business environment, collect views from different sectors of the community for the purpose of reviewing and improving the existing policies, laws and regulations relating to various industrial and commercial sectors and, having regard to the characteristics of the different sectors, implement the policies flexibly, abolish unnecessary regulations and restrictions, assist small and medium enterprises in grasping the opportunities brought about by CEPA, and expeditiously conduct an impact assessment on the employment situation, thoroughly analyse the impact of the arrangement on the local labour market with a view to improving the existing manpower development policy, thereby creating more employment opportunities and improving the acute unemployment situation; this Council also urges that the Government should, having regard to the arrangement, study the establishment of a border industrial zone or a river-loop industrial zone."