Since the Government launched the Helping Business Programme in 1996, different agencies have completed 109 studies and reviews, and implemented 415 improvement measures, Financial Secretary Henry Tang says.

The programme aims to cut Government red tape, streamline procedures and improve services to facilitate business.

Mr Tang told legislators today that in assessing the programme's effectiveness, the main considerations include whether the recommended improvements are accepted by the concerned bureaux and departments, and whether these can achieve the programme's aims.

Mr Tang said the Government has included a provision of up to $12.5 million in the 2004-05 estimates for funding studies and other related activities under the programme.

He said before implementing the proposed improvement measures, different Government agencies will consult extensively relevant trades on the improvement measures identified in the studies.

"The measures will only be implemented after we have secured consensus or majority support from the trade," Mr Tang said.

Keeping in touch

The concerned Government agencies will also keep in touch with trade representatives and chambers to obtain their feedback on the effectiveness of the improvement measures and if necessary, recommend and implement further measures, he said.

Notable examples of improvements include:

* the implementation of the Open Bond System to provide a more flexible operating environment which has significantly reduced the running costs for the dutiable commodity trade; and,

* the introduction of licences with a validity period of up to seven years for the hotel and guesthouse trades, which has considerably reduced the licence fees and removed the cumbersome procedures associated with annual licence renewals.

"We believe these improvement measures have facilitated the operation of the business sectors concerned," Mr Tang said.