A high-level mechanism should be established to address the issue of maintaining clean air, a focus group on trade and business said in a report submitted to the Chief Executive today.

Dr Victor Fung is convenor of the group, one of four established at an economic summit in the wake of the nation's 11th 5-year plan. He noted clean air "is essential in retaining talents and attracting international investment."

His group's report suggests: "A comprehensive policy and enforceable measures should be adopted to reduce air pollution.

"This could include developing a master plan with both short-term deliverables that are quick to implement and long-term objectives not only on air quality, but also issues relating to urban design, transport policy, land-use policy and energy policy; launching a consensus-building campaign in both the business community and the community at large; introducing measures to reduce Hong Kong's home-grown pollution; and strengthening cross-boundary cooperation efforts."

34 action points cover five areas

In all, the group delivered 14 strategic proposals and 34 action items, covering five major areas, including air pollution.

The other four include:

* building  up a "Brand Hong Kong" culture to symbolise high quality, international and cutting-edge products and services;

* optimising the potential and benefits under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement - or CEPA - between Hong Kong and the Mainland;

* assisting Hong Kong-owned factories in Guangdong to upgrade their products and technology, in coping with more stringent environmental standards and keen market competition in the Mainland; and

* raising the quality of Hong Kong's human capital by attracting and nurturing talents.

'Right English' campaign a priority

A priority on the group's action agenda is to set up a "Right English" campaign, to improve signage in public places.

It also recommends continuing to implement the "Action Plan to raise Language Standards in Hong Kong", first endorsed by the Executive Council in 2003.

It would like to see specific measures to raise students' language standards, including "specifying a clear and realistic set of expected language competencies, and creating a more motivating language-learning environment".

Click here to read the group's report; click here to see its proposed action agenda.