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The Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, visited the Yuen Long district this (March 23) afternoon to keep himself abreast of the latest development and employment service there.
He first met with the Yuen Long District Council Chairman, Dr Tang Siu-tong, and Vice-Chairman, Mr Leung Che-cheung, to exchange view on local issues. He also called on Mr Leung Man-to, a famous gourmet, to discuss ways to promote local cuisines in order to enhance the development of tourism in Hong Kong.
Accompanied by District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr James Chan, Mr Ip then stopped at the Jockey Club Long Ping Service Centre for Children and Youth where he was briefed on the centre's "Know The Future" Project. The project provides counseling for Forms one to three school drop-outs and pre-employment training for youngsters.
Mr Ip then went to the Labour Department's new Job Centre in Yuen Long that was opened by him in November last year. He chatted with job seekers there and inspected a job-search training programme for minority groups.
At a site of the Hong Kong Section of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Western Corridor, Mr Ip was briefed by Highways and Planning departments officers on the work in progress and future improvement of cross boundary traffic.
Mr Ip's last stop was the Tin Chak Shopping Centre in a public housing estate where he mingled with shopkeepers and local residents to learn more about the economic situation and people's livelihood in the district.
Ends/Friday, March 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:22
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