Enhanced Productivity Programme 1999-2000

          The public sector has a duty to ensure that the community gets maximum value from the available resources. We must ensure that we operate efficiently and cost-effectively, maintaining high standards in the range of public services we deliver and yet controlling growth in expenditure.

          The Chief Executive announced in his 1998 Policy Address the formal launch of an Enhanced Productivity Programme (EPP) across the public sector. Through EPP, we strive to achieve the best value for money in Government expenditure and to secure lasting and sustainable improvements in the public service.

          In a matter of months, EPP is in full swing. An immediate task of EPP is to require Government departments and Government subvented organisations to provide new or improved services using existing resources or to deliver real dollar savings in the 1999-2000 financial year through productivity gains. By 2002-03, they are further required to reduce their baseline operating expenditure by a total of 5%. This process will make the public sector more lean and fit. But more is required to make long term and sustainable improvements. Concurrently, we are embarking on a mid-term phase of EPP. This will seek more fundamental reforms in the management and delivery of public services having regard to the changing role of the public sector.

          The objective of this booklet is to report on the implementation of EPP in 1999-2000, with particular reference to initiatives on new or improved services to be provided through productivity gains.