Press Releases
Management of government fresh food wholesale markets
Recommendations in the Director of Audit's Report No 48 on improving the
management of government fresh food wholesale markets have been welcomed by the
Health, Welfare and Food Bureau. The report was tabled in the Legislative
Council today (April 18).
With regard to the Director of Audit's recommendation that the Government should
expedite its review of it's responsibility for the construction of wholesale
food markets, a spokesman for HWFB said the review with relevant departments had
been in progress, with due consideration on the overall economic policy, the
present day needs of Hong Kong and other relevant factors.
"We are looking into various options for resolving the problems at the Yau Ma
Tei Fruit Market. Relevant parties, including the concerned Legislative Council
Panel and the relevant district councils, will be kept informed and consulted on
our proposals in due course," the spokesman said.
On the recommendation about the occupancy of fresh food wholesale markets, the
spokesman said the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department was
following up with the relevant departments on the alternative uses of the vacant
market facilities.
"The department is also working on improving the rent collection procedures and
revising the rental guidelines," the spokesman said.
He said the department had strengthened the site management of the Cheung Sha
Wan Wholesale Food Market and Western Wholesale Food Market.
"The department has started revising the management guidelines and inspection
manual to strengthen compliance checking and enforcement of tenancy terms, and
exploring the feasibility of automating the entry registration system.
"A new set of performance measures to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of
AFCD's performance in discharging its duties in managing government wholesale
markets are being developed in light of the Director of Audit's advice," the
spokesman said.
One chapter of the Director of Audit's Report No 48 examines the economy,
efficiency and effectiveness of the Government in managing fresh food wholesale
markets, covering issues relating to the letting of market facilities,
management and outsourcing of markets, reprovisioning of outdated wholesale
markets, and other related areas for improvement.
Ends/Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:33
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