The productivity and quality award spearheaded by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) primarily aims to reward companies that have continuously improved productivity and quality and to promote successful practices and strategies in industrial and service performance. HKPC received 22 entries for the award. The participants came from various sectors including manufacturing, trading, information technology, logistics, advertising, laboratory services, environmental services and government units. The entries were assessed on their leadership and strategic planning, customer and market focus, innovation and creativity, excellence management and improvement system, resource management and business results. Eleven finalists were named and seven of those have been chosen as award winners. HKPC executive director K.K. Yeung said: 'The implementation of Cepa III and China's WTO accession have ushered in challenges as well as opportunities. To take the lead in global competition, both the manufacturing and service sectors in Hong Kong must enhance their productivity and strengthen their product and service quality. The Hong Kong Awards for Industries: Productivity and Quality is a timely initiative to encourage and recognise productivity and quality excellence among Hong Kong's manufacturing and service sectors, promoting their successful practices and strategies as a benchmark for other enterprises.'