Green plan: The Government will introduce new initiatives aimed at letting all citizens, now and for generations to come, enjoy a better quality of life.

While focusing on economic development, the Government will uphold the principles of  "Big market, small government" and "Market leads, Government facilitates".

This is one of the initiatives in the 2006-07 Policy Agenda released today.

The Government will adopt an economic strategy that leverages China's growth for Hong Kong's global economic success, to consolidate and strengthen Hong Kong's position as "Asia's World City".

It will maintain and strengthen the territory's status as an international centre of financial services, trade and shipping and support Hong Kong's development on all fronts, including financial services, logistics, tourism and information services.

The Government will safeguard Hong Kong's traditional  strengths including the rule of law, a level playing field, clean and efficient government, free flow of information, low and simple taxes, and good order, to provide a business-friendly environment.

Initiatives cover range of sectors

Other new initiatives include:

*intensifying efforts to promote awareness of and respect for intellectual property rights in the business sector;

*establishing a new Communications Authority;

*setting up a Hong Kong Film Development Council;

*promoting Hong Kong design and encouraging the use of design for adding value to local goods and services;

*setting up two Youth Employment Resource Centres to provide one-stop advisory and support services on employment and self-employment to youths aged 15 to 29;

*replacing the Civil Aviation Department's air traffic control system and develop a new CAD headquarters on the Airport Island; and

*identifying ways to broaden the source of corporations seeking to use Hong Kong as a platform for listing, with a view to facilitating listings of quality overseas companies.

Better quality of life

Environmentally, the Government will introduce new initiatives aimed at letting every resident, now and for generations to come, enjoy a better quality of life.

It said the Government must tackle immediate problems - air pollution from power plants and vehicle emissions, and water pollution in the harbour - with renewed vigour and determination.

The community, the business sector and the Government are stakeholders as much as they are partners in the protection and improvement of our environment, he said. 

It is incumbent upon all parties to take up this responsibility to collaborate fully, working together with commitment to Hong Kong - a place where we and our children build our sustainable home.

One-off grant to encourage upgrade

New initiatives will include:

*encouraging owners of old diesel commercial vehicles to replace their old vehicles by offering a one-off grant;

*consulting the public on legislating on whether to introduce a law to ban idling vehicles from running their engines; and

*providing tax incentives to encourage the use of environmentally friendly cars.