Annual Report 2013-14

6 FHKI Annual Report 2013-14 Locally, increasing regulatory proposals are a focus of our concern and we lobbied hard against a number of contentious labour policy proposals, in particular labour unions’ calls for legislating on standard working hours, increasing the statutory minimum wage and abolishing the mechanism for Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) offsetting arrangements. Such proposals, if endorsed, would increase employers’ financial burden and worsen business environment. Indeed, Hong Kong’s competitiveness is under increasing challenge. The IMD’s announcement of a drop in Hong Kong’s ranking in the World Competitiveness Yearbook from the third to the fourth place in 2014 has raised the alarm. Separately, in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2013-14, it is recommended that Hong Kong should improve on innovation (ranked 23 rd ) and higher education (ranked 22 nd ). In this regard, the FHKI has repeatedly alerted the Government of the risks of Hong Kong’s over-reliance on a few economic sectors and the need to broaden our economic base. We hope the Government will take immediate steps to address the matter. Keenly aware of rising global competition, the FHKI set up the Technology Development Committee last year to assist members in keeping abreast of developments in technology and innovation in order to facilitate industrial upgrading. Moreover, in order to move with the times, the General Committee has agreed to raise with the Government a proposal to establish five new industry groups to better serve the relevant sectors. The setting up of The Sage last year to strengthen ties with former General Committee members is another initiative we took. We are also proud to celebrate the 35 th anniversary of Q-Mark, a well-known quality assurance mark to the Hong Kong public. Attempts are being made to promote Q-Mark certification not only in Hong Kong, but also in the Guangdong Province. It has been an honour for me to take up the role of FHKI Chairman since last July. I am grateful to my fellow General Committee members for their commitment and valuable advice, and our members for their staunch support. In particular, I would like to extend my appreciation to the contributions of my deputies – Ir Daniel Cheng, Willy Lin, Jimmy Kwok, Eric Yim and Dr Daniel Yip – and the dedicated Secretariat. Our path ahead will continue to be challenging. But with the unwavering support of our members, partners and colleagues, we will continue our mission of promoting the interests and well-being of members and enhancing economic dynamism and prosperity for the Hong Kong economy as a whole. Stanley Lau Chairman Chairman’s statement 主席報告 ual Report