It is the time of year for making wishes and resolutions. Here is a miscellany of a dozen things I would urge our government to do - or desist from - in 2004. Display somewhat greater urgency and enthusiasm in the preparation of new revenue measures, such as the border-crossing tax and the goods and services tax. Resist the temptation to lull people with hints of deferment. Release relevant blueprints, although if the proposals are deemed unworkable, admit it quickly and move on. If new taxes are not needed, they can be put on ice. But if the plans are never completed you will never have the option to tap into new revenue, even when the time is judged ripe. Do not rush into privatisation if, by doing so, you risk not getting the best possible deal. Interest rates are low at the moment so that, even if you are intent on eventual privatisation, it would be relatively cheap to tide over the budget financing gap for a while by borrowing. Begin to speak of structural adjustment as a source of growth and an opportunity for the economy, rather than as a scapegoat for under-performance. Bear in mind that, although the title of International Financial Centre (IFC) can readily be adopted by self-proclamation, the substantive status of an IFC is achieved only by the relevant international activities actually taking place. Consider carefully whether, when the consumer price index eventually turns upwards, you should be cheering the end of deflation or cautioning about the drawbacks of inflation. Be even more careful, now that the cost of doing business in Hong Kong is helpfully at its lowest for many years, about jumping for joy at any upturn in property prices. Get a move on with some strategy to make use of the rising stock of unused or underused industrial buildings that are not only becoming an eyesore in some areas but also represent a waste of economic value. Resist the temptation to put a government spokesman in front of the media to comment every time some research organisation or political foundation, of whatever calibre or creed, releases a league table featuring Hong Kong. The same goes for pronouncements from rating agencies. Self-congratulation is unbecoming; complaining about methodology in a fit of pique is even worse. After more than six years of seeming indifference to the plight of Government House, employ imagination and intelligence to decide a future use for it that does adequate justice to the building's history, ambience and location. Do not be surprised if some sort of negative shock, whether home-grown or international, hits Hong Kong in 2004 - be it to do with climate, epidemic, terrorism, financial turmoil or whatever. By the law of averages, these things happen. By the same token, however, do not rule out the possibility of pleasant surprises. Devise a system of typhoon warnings which properly recognises the skills of meteorologists and which is appropriate to the state of transport, communications and lifestyle present in the 21st century. Thus, adults should be able to get on with their lives instead of closing everything down, invariably for the sake of only a modest breeze and a little drizzle, and children would be spared the huge disappointment of awaiting a heralded typhoon that never materialises. Finally, a modest, personal wish - find a slot in the legislative timetable for a law to disable all 'door close' buttons in lifts, and prohibit their future installation. Tony Latter is a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong
