The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (August 2).

     The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the second quarter of 2019, provisionally estimated at $28.7 billion, decreased by 0.4% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants increased by 0.8% to $9.3 billion.

     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 2.6% in the second quarter of 2019 compared with a year earlier.

     Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the second quarter of 2019 with the second quarter of 2018, total receipts of Chinese restaurants decreased by 2.1% in value and 4.4% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants decreased by 1.6% in value and 3.7% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops increased by 3.2% in value and 1.8% in volume. Total receipts of bars decreased by 4.4% in value and 5.4% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts increased by 5.3% in value and 1.5% in volume.

     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts decreased by 4.6% in value and 4.4% in volume in the second quarter of 2019 compared with the preceding quarter.

     Comparing the first half of 2019 with the same period in 2018, total restaurant receipts increased by 1.4% in value but decreased by 0.9% in volume.

     To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.

     Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector decreased by 0.2%, 0.5% and 0.6% respectively in April, May and June 2019, compared with the corresponding months a year earlier.

     After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 2.4%, 2.7% and 2.8% respectively in April, May and June 2019, compared with the corresponding months a year earlier.

Further information

     Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the first quarter of 2019 as well as the provisional figures for the second quarter of 2019.

     Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the first quarter of 2019 and the provisional indices for the second quarter of 2019.

     Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.

     The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the second quarter of 2019 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/bbs.jsp) and relevant publications of the Department from September 20, 2019.

     The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

     More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases". Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp320.jsp?productCode=B1080002).

     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; email: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 2) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Silver Mine Bay Beach in Islands District as Grade 4, which means the beach is not suitable for swimming. The red flag has been hoisted. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach until further notice.

     The Transport Department (TD) said today (August 2) that to promote the good services and image of the taxi industry, the TD and the Committee on Taxi Service Quality (CTSQ) have extended the scope of the Taxi Service Commendation Scheme to taxi service management teams in order to commend taxi drivers and service management teams for their service excellence. The scheme is now open for public nominations until September 30.
      
     To nominate outstanding taxi drivers and service management teams, members of the public can access the designated website (www.ctsq.org.hk/nomination/index.php) for nomination of taxi drivers and service management teams with quality service. They can also send the completed nomination form to the TD by post, facsimile or email or they can submit the form online through GovHK. The form can be downloaded from the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/index.html).
      
     After the nomination period, members of the public can learn about the good conduct and performance of the nominated taxi drivers and vote for their favourite taxi driver on the designated website. On the other hand, the taxi service management teams with quality service will be evaluated and selected by an assessment panel comprising mainly members of the CTSQ. The Prize Presentation Ceremony of Taxi Service Commendation Scheme will be held in the first quarter of 2020.
      
     For enquiries, please call 2829 5326.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, August 2, 2019 is 105.9 (up 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     The Department of Justice today (August 2) reminded potential applicants for the post of Government Counsel (GC) that they are required to obtain a certain level of results in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) in order to qualify for the post.
 
     The GC recruitment exercise will be conducted around late August/early September this year. Similar to last year's recruitment exercise, applicants will be required to obtain a Level 2 result in the Use of English (UE) paper and a Level 1 result in the Use of Chinese (UC) paper of the CRE.
 
     In this connection, Level 5 or above in English Language in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSEE) or Grade C or above in Use of English in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) or Grade C or above in English Language in the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE. Furthermore, Level 4 in Chinese Language in the HKDSEE or Grade D in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Language and Literature in the HKALE are accepted as equivalent to Level 1 in the UC paper of the CRE. Other equivalent qualifications can also be found at www.csb.gov.hk/english/recruit/cre/949.html.
 
     Under exceptional circumstances a limited number of applicants who do not meet the requisite Chinese language requirement may be appointed, subject to the operational needs of the department.
 
     Since 2008, applicants for the GC post should also take a Basic Law Test (BLT). While not mandatory, the results of the BLT will be taken into account in considering the suitability of a candidate for appointment.
 
     The next CRE and BLT will be held on October 5 and 12, in Hong Kong. Prospective GC applicants without the requisite results in the CRE or equivalent and/or those who wish to take the BLT are invited to apply between August 2 and 15, for sitting the relevant examination and/or test.
 
     Further information on the CRE and BLT is available on the homepage of the Civil Service Bureau (under the ‘Recruitment’ section) at www.csb.gov.hk.