The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) today discussed (March 21) the fare increase applications submitted by the urban, New Territories and Lantau taxi trade.
           
     "The TAC noted the operating situation and financial position of the taxi trade. In deliberating on the fare increase applications, we have considered and balanced all relevant factors including financial viability of taxi operation and public acceptability," the TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said.
      
     "As with other fare increase applications, the TAC will submit its recommendation to the Government for consideration by the Chief Executive in Council," Professor Cheung added.
      
     Members of the TAC noted the public concern over taxi service quality and welcomed the measures taken forward by the Government and the taxi trade in concerted efforts through the Committee on Taxi Service Quality to enhance the taxi service quality, which include updating the taxi service standards and guidelines, launching online training courses for enhancing in-service taxi drivers' service quality, organising the enhanced Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme and enhancing the mechanism for handling complaints relating to taxi service. 
      
     Members welcomed the measures taken forward by the taxi trade on its own initiatives in recent years, such as providing re-training courses and pre-service skill training courses and launching a mobile application for hailing taxi service. 
      
     Furthermore, Members also noted the Government's plan to submit legislative proposals to the Legislative Council in 2019 for introducing a "Taxi Driver-Offence Points System" and raising the penalty levels for repeated contravention of taxi drivers' malpractices, as well as introducing franchised taxis with online hailing features in response to the new demand in the community for personalised and point-to-point public transport services.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (March 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for February 2019. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.1% in February 2019 over the same month a year earlier, smaller than the corresponding increase (2.4%) in January 2019. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in February 2019 was 2.6%, smaller than that in January 2019 (3.0%), mainly due to the smaller increases in the costs for meals bought away from home and the charges for package tours.

     It should be noted that consumer prices tend to show greater volatility in the first two months of a year due to the timing of the Lunar New Year. As the Lunar New Year fell in early February this year but in mid-February last year, the year-on-year comparison of the figures for January and February 2019 might have been affected by this factor to a certain extent. Taking the first 2 months of 2019 together to neutralise the effect of the Lunar New Year, the Composite CPI rose by 2.3% over a year earlier. Netting out the effect of all Government's one-off relief measures, the Composite CPI rose by 2.8% in the first 2 months of 2019 over a year earlier.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending February 2019 was 0.2%, and that for the 3-month period ending January 2019 was 0.1%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were both 0.2%.

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.6%, 1.9% and 1.8% respectively in February 2019, as compared to 2.8%, 2.3% and 2.3% respectively in January 2019. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.2%, 2.4% and 2.1% respectively in February 2019, as compared to 3.3%, 2.9% and 2.6% respectively in January 2019.

     Taking the first 2 months of 2019 together, the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.7%, 2.1% and 2.0% respectively over a year earlier. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 3.3%, 2.7% and 2.4% respectively in the first 2 months of 2019 over a year earlier.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending February 2019, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending January 2019 were virtually nil, 0.1% and 0.2% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending February 2019 were 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively, and the corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending January 2019 were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively.

     Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in February 2019 for food (excluding meals bought away from home) (4.9%), housing (3.0%), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (2.6%), meals bought away from home (2.0%), miscellaneous services (1.6%), miscellaneous goods (1.4%) and transport (1.4%).
 
     On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in February 2019 for electricity, gas and water (-4.7%); durable goods (-1.7%) as well as clothing and footwear (-1.5%).

     For the 3 months ending February 2019, the Composite CPI rose by 2.4% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.8%, 2.2% and 2.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 2.8%, 3.3%, 2.7% and 2.5% respectively.

     For the 12 months ending February 2019, the Composite CPI was on average 2.4% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.7%, 2.3% and 2.2% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 2.7%, 3.1%, 2.7% and 2.4% respectively.

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that underlying inflation was largely stable in recent months. Taking the first two months of 2019 together to neutralise the distortions by the timing of the Lunar New Year, the underlying inflation rate edged down to 2.8% from 2.9% in December 2018.

     Looking ahead, the upside risks to inflation should remain contained. The earlier moderation in fresh-letting residential rentals could have a mitigating effect in the period ahead, and external price pressures have also stayed moderate recently. The Government will continue to monitor the inflation developments closely, particularly the impact on the lower-income people.

Further information

     The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for February 2019 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after removing the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The corresponding time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

     More detailed CPI data (including year-on-year comparison, month-to-month comparison, seasonally adjusted data series and the CPIs by the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)) are available in the monthly reports. Users can download the February 2019 issue of the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=B1060001), the time series of CPIs at detailed level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600001), the time series of CPIs at COICOP division level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600002) and the time series of CPIs after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600003) free of charge at the website of the C&SD.

     For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).

 Police today (March 21) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tseung Kwan O.

     Ho Kit-ching, aged 64, went missing after she left her residences on Chiu Shun Road yesterday (March 20) afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on the same day.
    
     She is about 1.55 metres tall, 68 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and medium straight black hair. She was last seen wearing a black down jacket with white dots pattern, black trousers and black shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or 9020 2746 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Government announced today (March 21) the following senior appointments:

(a) Ms Gracie Foo Siu-wai, former Director, Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Beijing, will take up the post of Director of Administration and Development of the Department of Justice on April 17, 2019, when Mr Alan Siu Yu-bun commences his pre-retirement leave; and

(b) Ms Esther Leung Yuet-yin, Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing) and Deputy Director of Housing (Strategy), will take up the post of Director of Administration on April 15, 2019, succeeding Ms Kitty Choi Kit-yu who will commence her pre-retirement leave on April 8, 2019.

     Commenting on the appointments of Ms Foo and Ms Leung, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, said, "The two appointees are seasoned Administrative Officers with proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that they will continue to serve the community with professionalism in their new capacities."

     On the retirement of Ms Choi, Mr Law said, "Ms Choi has rendered over 32 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community of Hong Kong. During her tenure as Director of Administration, Ms Choi provided crucial support to the Chief Secretary for Administration. She played an instrumental role in co-ordinating the Government's business with the Legislative Council. With strong organisational skills and enthusiasm, she capably led the Protocol Division to facilitate close communication with the Consular Corps. She also dedicated her efforts to enhancing the records management of the Government. I wish her a fulfilling and happy retirement."

     Speaking on the retirement of Mr Siu, Mr Law said, "Mr Siu has served with zeal and commitment in the civil service over the past 36 years. As Director of Administration and Development of the Department of Justice, Mr Siu provided the Secretary for Justice with staunch support in formulating strategies for the launch of new policy initiatives. He capably managed the department's human and financial resources to ensure the effective delivery of its services. With dedication and strong management skills, he competently oversaw the relocation of the department to the former Central Government Offices. I wish him a fulfilling and happy retirement."

     Brief biographical notes of the four officers are set out below:

Ms Kitty Choi Kit-yu
———————-

     Ms Choi joined the Administrative Service in July 1986 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2014. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Administrative Services and Information Branch, the former Chief Secretary's Office, the former Civil Service Branch, the former Industry Department, the Information Services Department, the former Transport Bureau, the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. She was Head of the former Efficiency Unit from April 2006 to August 2009 and Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Food) from August 2009 to June 2012, and has been serving as Director of Administration since July 2012.

Ms Gracie Foo Siu-wai
————————-

     Ms Foo joined the Administrative Service in July 1987 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2016. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former General Duties Branch, the former Civil Service Branch, the former New Airport Project Co-ordination Office, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto, the former Finance Branch, the former Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau, the former Office of the Telecommunications Authority and Radio Television Hong Kong. She was Deputy Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) from February 2009 to September 2012, Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs from September 2012 to January 2015, and Director, Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing from January 2015 to January 2019.

Mr Alan Siu Yu-bun
———————-

     Mr Siu joined the Administrative Service in July 1986 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2017. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Transport Branch, the former Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority, the former Finance Branch, the former Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Home Affairs Bureau. He was Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) from July 2007 to October 2011 and Government Property Administrator from October 2011 to November 2015, and has been serving as Director of Administration and Development of the Department of Justice since November 2015.

Ms Esther Leung Yuet-yin
—————————–

     Ms Leung joined the Administrative Service in July 1989 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2013. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Trade and Industry Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Education and Manpower Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, the former Finance Bureau, the Home Affairs Bureau and the Education Bureau. She was Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) from April 2012 to September 2016 and Private Secretary to the Chief Executive from October 2016 to June 2017, and has been serving as Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing) and Deputy Director of Housing (Strategy) since August 2017.

        

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, March 21, 2019 is 102.8 (down 0.4 against yesterday's index).