The panel passed two motions which , respectively , requested the government not to reduce the basic expenditure for social welfare in 2005 - 2006 , and requested the government to abort any cost - cutting plan from 2006 - 2007 to 2008 - 2009 , as well as extending the tide - over grant , so as to ensure the quality of social welfare services and meet the needs of the public for such services
32.
The reasons given by companies for this recent wave of consolidation have included cost - cutting through economies of scale , strengthening the company ' s market position , gaining access to new markets , global expansion , gaining a talented workforce , acquiring new knowledge and expertise , gaining a new customer base , and pursuing new technologies
