Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been notified that in response to its clarifications and follow-ups, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has taken out an incorrect statement about Hong Kong from the 2019 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report which was published on March 29, a Government spokesman said today (April 8).

     The original version of the NTE Report erroneously stated that Hong Kong had not submitted its Checklist of Issues replies to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Customs Valuation, despite its obligation under the relevant WTO agreement. The Government’s Economic and Trade Offices in Washington and Geneva immediately followed up with the relevant US authorities on April 1 to convey the concerns and clarify that Hong Kong has, since 1996, fulfilled its notification obligations under the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement. The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau also wrote to the Consul General of the United States to Hong Kong and Macau to set the record straight and asked for urgent rectification by the USTR, the spokesman said.

     As a matter of fact, Hong Kong is a free port and does not impose any customs duties on imported goods. Hong Kong therefore does not have any legislation or administrative procedures for valuing goods for customs duties purposes. In compliance with the relevant WTO agreement, Hong Kong duly made the relevant notifications to the WTO in 1996. As Hong Kong remains a free port to date, there is simply no need for Hong Kong to submit further notifications to the WTO or reply to the Checklist of Issues which concerns individual WTO Members’ valuation systems for the collection of customs duties, he added. read more

     Further to the briefing held by the Home Affairs Bureau and the Home Affairs Department (HAD) for the trade on the exemption of electronic sports (e-sports) venues from the requirement of the Amusement Game Centre (AGC) Li… read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, April 6, 2019 is 103.4 (up 0.1 against last Thursday’s index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, April 8, 2019 is 103.5 (up 0.1 against last Saturday’s index). read more

     In support of HK SciFest 2019 presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) will hold public open days from April 25 to 27 (Thursday to Saturday), aiming to enhance the knowledge and interest of the general public in aviation and related technologies through a variety of activities such as guided tours, talks and visits to headquarters facilities.
 
     To match the SciFest theme, the CAD will open the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower Simulator to the public for visits. The Simulator provides a realistic simulation of the airport’s ATC Tower including a 360-degree digital panel and is used for Tower Control simulator training for Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs). 
 
     The open house event will also showcase a simulated exhibit of digital tower facilities and an interactive controllers’ working position that will allow visitors to visualise aircraft taking off or landing as if they are ATCOs working inside the ATC Tower. Digital tower facilities provide a panoramic view of the airfield with the real-time situation of aircraft and vehicle movements on the runways and taxiways for ATCOs by using high-resolution surveillance cameras.  
 
     In addition, visitors will be able to tour the Aviation Education Path to learn more about Hong Kong’s aviation history, aviation security and ATC operations from CAD staff.  
 
     Talks will be held during the open house event, introducing interesting topics related to aviation operations and technologies, such as flight inspection services for communications, navigation and surveillance equipment and flight procedures, the evolution of the Air Traffic Management System and the satellite navigation system for landing procedures.
 
     Activities at the CAD open days are free of charge. For details about and application for activities of the open days, please visit the CAD’s website at www.cad.gov.hk/english/CAD_OpenDay.html.

  

     Foresoon Engineering Company Limited was convicted and fined $2,500 at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (April 8) for contravening the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (PERO) again as a result of not providing a consumer with a free statutory removal service and charging the consumer a so-called administrative fee under pretexts when selling printers. On April 2, the company was fined $2,500 for contravening the same ordinance.

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said, in October last year, the department received a complaint from a member of the public again that Foresoon had charged the complainant an administrative fee for the arrangement for a statutory removal service after the sale of a printer. Subsequently, Foresoon not only did not carry out the removal arrangement for the old printer, but also falsely claimed that there was no refund as it had passed the administrative fee to the Government. On an earlier conviction, Foresoon refused to offer a free statutory removal service as a consumer was unwilling to pay a so-called administrative fee. The EPD prosecuted Foresoon for contravening the relevant regulations in the above cases under the PERO after gathering evidence.

     The spokesman explained that according to the PERO, which came into effect on August 1 last year, when distributing regulated electrical equipment (REE), sellers must have a removal service plan endorsed by the EPD and proactively inform consumers in writing of the sellers’ obligation for the provision of a free statutory removal service as well as the relevant removal terms. Moreover, sellers must arrange a free removal service for consumers to dispose of the same type of waste equipment and provide a recycling label and a receipt containing the prescribed wording when distributing REE.

     The spokesman reminded all the relevant sellers not to make up excuses so as to refuse to provide consumers with a free statutory removal service, or charge consumers for a statutory removal service under different pretexts and through making false statements. Otherwise, they may contravene the PERO. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $5,000 to $100,000. A maximum fine of $10,000 to $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

     The spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the EPD immediately if they find any seller not conforming to the aforementioned requirements when purchasing electrical and electronic equipment. The EPD will take strict enforcement actions against sellers who violate the PERO. read more