The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will leave Hong Kong on June 9 for duty visits to New York and Washington, DC, in the United States (US) between June 10 and 14 to consolidate and strengthen economic ties between Hong Kong and the US. While there he will meet with US government officials and business and political leaders as well as representatives of think tanks. He will also attend an event in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham).

     After his duty visit to the US, Mr Yau will fly to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to lead a business and professional mission comprising more than 60 members organised by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce to explore business collaboration opportunities in the UAE and establish and strengthen networks with local enterprises.

     Mr Yau will start the US leg of his visit in New York on June 10 (Eastern Standard Time), where he will meet key people in the financial, business, legal and academic sectors at a roundtable breakfast meeting before proceeding to Washington, DC, in the afternoon for a four-day visit. He will be accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism), Miss Eliza Lee.

     In addition to meeting with US government officials, congressional members, representatives of the Heritage Foundation and business leaders to exchange views on forging closer Hong Kong-US trade and economic relations, Mr Yau will deliver a keynote address at a luncheon jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Washington DC (Washington ETO) and the Brookings Institution. Mr Yau's visit will also include receptions hosted by Washington ETO and AmCham. AmCham is currently running its annual Doorknock event in Washington, DC. This year AmCham is also celebrating its 50th anniversary.

     On June 16 and 17, Mr Yau will lead the mission to the UAE. The mission comprises over 60 business leaders and services professionals from the finance, consultancy, architecture, construction and infrastructure development, legal and dispute resolution, accounting, transportation and logistics and technology services sectors, as well as start-ups in the Mainland of China and Hong Kong. Prior to travelling to the UAE, the mission delegates will visit Spain and Serbia between June 9 and 15.

     Mr Yau and the mission delegates will meet with senior UAE government officials and visit the Jebel Ali Free Zone, the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone and Khalifa Port. They will also attend a briefing on investment opportunities in the UAE jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Dubai FDI, and mission delegates will have a dedicated business matching opportunity with local project owners. Later, Mr Yau will deliver remarks at a networking luncheon co-organised by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong and the Mainland China – Hong Kong Belt and Road Business and Professional Services Council.

     Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on June 18. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

     The Census and Statistics Department is conducting the 2019 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong with Parent Companies Located outside Hong Kong, on behalf of Invest Hong Kong. The survey aims to collect information useful to the Government in formulating strategies for cultivating a favourable environment for conducting business in Hong Kong and further developing support services for existing and prospective investors from outside Hong Kong. Such information will help Invest Hong Kong better understand the needs of foreign companies in Hong Kong and tailor its promotions, both locally and overseas, of Hong Kong as a leading destination for foreign direct investment.

      The survey covers companies in various economic sectors in Hong Kong with their parent companies located outside Hong Kong. A questionnaire has been sent earlier to each of the relevant companies together with the notification letter. To assist these companies in providing the information as required, an electronic template of the questionnaire is available upon request.

     Information being sought in the survey includes general information relating to these companies and opinions of the management of these companies about conducting business in Hong Kong.

     The survey is conducted under Part IIIA of the Census and Statistics Ordinance (Chapter 316) and was notified in Government Notice No. 2816 in the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Gazette of April 27, 2018, as a voluntary statistical survey. The said Ordinance stipulates that all collected information which may enable identification of individual companies should be kept in strict confidence and not be released to any unauthorised parties. Such data will solely be used for compiling statistics which will not enable information relating to individual companies to be revealed.

     The department would like to thank those companies which had participated in previous rounds of the survey, and appeals for the support of the management of all companies which have been selected in the current survey round for their co-operation by returning the completed questionnaires to the department on or before June 28, 2019.

     Where applicable, staff of the department may phone or visit individual companies to offer assistance in completing the questionnaire. Whilst on duty, they will each carry an Enumerator Identity Card and a certificate for conducting the survey, which will be available for inspection.

     Enquiries regarding the survey can be directed to the Business Expectation Statistics Section of the department (Tel: 3579 2311 or email: regional offices@censtatd.gov.hk). 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 6) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade and providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should inform their supervisors and seek medical help immediately.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.