Overseas costs rise

THE cost of overseas study visits by the Regional Council increased by almost 50 per cent last year.

Regco spent $144 million on the trips last year, compared to $94 million the year before, council vice chairman Pang Hok-tuen revealed yesterday.

He said the costs increased drastically because the trips were organised by a travel agency. The Regco secretariat had organised the tours previously.

The rise was also due to the cost of hiring interpreters and guides during trips to France and Germany.

Regco has decided that a special committee will work out the arrangements for future visits.

Regco member Lam Wing-yin said specific targets should be assigned for each tour.