Boost for estate businesses

A centre that provides one-stop services to help people set up businesses in Housing Department commercial premises opened yesterday. The move was announced in the wake of complaints by three jobless university graduates that their proposal to open a photocopying shop in an estate mall was thrown out by officials who insisted it could only be used to sell stamps. Permanent Secretary for Housing Leung Chin-man, who said he was so shocked by reports of the incident last week that he almost choked, said there were up to 700 empty shops in public estates and they could be let out cheaply. Mr Leung said he hoped the centre could improve the quality and efficiency of the government's customer services. For more information ring 2928 2828.