"I have been telling my friends since the World Health Organization (WHO) lifted the travel advisory against Hong Kong that the city has become cleaner, friendlier and more active and there are so many discounts here now. Welcome to Hong Kong!" he said.

Yu, who is also a member of the Relaunch Hong Kong Strategy Group led by Financial Secretary Antony Leung, said that promoting Hong Kong positively to overseas business partners and friends is part of his responsibility.

Yu admitted the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) had dealt the Hong Kong economy a hard blow. "We are cautious now, but there are also positive sides which should be observed," he said.

He told Xinhua that at present, the daily average sale in Hong Kong had dropped 20 percent compared with pre-SARS level and by 30percent from the level in the same period last year.

The figure had even dropped 50 percent in the first part of April compared with pre-SARS level, but the sales started to pick up gradually since the Easter holiday.

"Luckily, local communities' initiatives such as the We Love HK campaign and Operation Unite have pushed local consumption in momentum," he said.

The chairman told Xinhua a "spectacular" campaign which will unite all sectors of retail in Hong Kong will be held from mid July to the end of the year.

Besides offering discounts, there will be other "imaginative" and "innovative" ideas aimed at boosting local consumption, he said excitedly.

"Actually, the commodities' prices have already dropped to a very low level and retailers had no profits to gain. It may worsen the deflation. That is why our campaign needs imaginative and innovative ideas other than offering discounts," he said.

Yu has been in the retail sector in Hong Kong for about 20 years. In his eyes, Hong Kong is still a forefront shopper's paradise in the world.

"Prices here maybe not the cheapest, but in terms of fashion, range, variety, quality, customer services and lifestyle, it is really a world city for consumers," he said.

He said his association has been making a lot of efforts in improving customer services level. "We are devoted to train staff to be polite, friendly, creative and serving from the heart," he said.

The association will also enhance hygiene level of front-line staff and in workplaces, he said, adding with a smile that "Luckily, there has no retail staff who contracted SARS in work up to now."

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2003)