Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      The spokesperson for Castle Peak Hospital made the following announcement today (March 14):        Six patients (aged 42 to 78) in a mal… read more

     The Lands Department announced today (March 14) that in respect of the tender for the site Tai Po Town Lot No. 244 at the junction of Yau King Lane and Pok Yin Road, Pak Shek Kok, Tai Po, New Territories, which was awarded on F… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee Secretariat:
 
     The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee held its 39th meeting today (March 14). At the meeting, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau briefed members and solicited their views on a proposal to impose a statutory cooling-off period for beauty and fitness services consumer contracts.
 
     The Committee also noted the work of its three task forces:
 
Wholesale and Retail Task Force (WRTF)
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* The Department of Health plans to roll out Phase II of the Pharmaceuticals Licence Application and Movement Monitoring System (PLAMMS) to cover other pharmaceutical products in Q4 2019 tentatively. The WRTF welcomed the PLAMMS, which facilitates the trade via import and export licences applications.
 
* To enhance food safety, licensing control over sale of hairy crabs came into effect on September 3, 2018. The WRTF appreciated the licensing control on sale of hairy crabs, which protects public health, as well as the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)’s efforts in addressing the trade’s concerns.
 
* The Centre for Food Safety of FEHD and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department briefed the WRTF on Government’s preventive measures and contingency plans in response to African Swine Fever (ASF). The WRTF welcomed the Government’s proactive preventive measures against ASF, and appreciated the Government’s efforts in protecting local pigs from ASF infection and ensuring sufficient supply of live pigs for consumption by the public.
 
Food Business and Related Services Task Force (FRSTF)
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* To promote the requirements of the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 to the trade (i.e. no person shall sell or supply intoxicating liquor to minors in the course of business), the Department of Health explained the purpose and main requirements of the (Amendment) Ordinance to the Task Force before the (Amendment) Ordinance came into effect on November 30, 2018 to facilitate trade compliance.  
 
* In the light of the breach of licence conditions regarding factory canteens serving public customers, the FEHD explained the new regulatory measures, consulted the new application criteria for factory canteen licences and listened to the trade’s concerns.
 
* For the protection of public health, the Water Supplies Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department briefed members on the regulatory regime and current policies of Fresh Water Cooling Towers and recommended measures for the trade to comply with the regulatory requirement. 
 
*The FRSTF appreciated the department’s efforts in explaining the regulatory requirements, consulting the trade on proposed new regulations and listening to their concerns.
 
Task Force on Business Liaison Groups (BLGTF)
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* In view of the requirements of the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 affecting various trades, the Department of Health also briefed the Task Force on the main requirements of the (Amendment) Ordinance. The Task Force thanked the Department of Health for promoting stakeholders’ understanding of the Amendment (Ordinance) and publicising its implementation through various channels to facilitate trade compliance.

* In addition, in order to facilitate trades’ early acquisition of water supply for commencement of business, the Water Supplies Department has implemented a series of measures to facilitate water supply applications. The Fire Services Department has also enhanced the work process to expedite the approval of general building plans and acceptance inspections of fire service installations in new buildings. The Task Force appreciated the efforts of the departments concerned in implementing measures to facilitate business.
 
     The Committee also expressed appreciation of the commitment and achievements of the bureaux and departments in further enhancing their business licensing services under the “Be the Smart Regulator” Programme.
 
     Papers for the Committee meeting are available at www.gov.hk/en/business/supportenterprises/bf/advisory/index.htm for public access. read more

     The Department of Health (DH) is today (March 14) investigating Wai Yuen Tong (Health Supplement) Company Limited, at Wang Lee Street, Yuen Long, for suspected illegal possession of an unregistered proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) called Wai Yuen Tong Herbal Tea.
 
      Acting upon intelligence, the DH conducted a field investigation and seized the above unregistered pCm. According to the product label, the product claimed to expel internal heat and exogenous evil from the body surface and it is suitable for people concerned about cold and flu symptoms. Investigations revealed that the above product had been imported from Malaysia for local sale.
 
     “The use of unregistered pCms may pose threats to public health as their safety, quality and efficacy are not proven. We noted that Wai Yuen Tong (Health Supplement) Company Limited has recalled all the above unregistered pCm from the market and set up a hotline (2727 8911) for related enquiries. We will closely monitor the recall. So far, no related adverse reports have been received,” a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     According to section 119 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549), no person shall sell, import or possess any pCm unless it is registered. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. The DH will proceed with prosecution matters in accordance with the advice from the Department of Justice.
 
     Members of the public who have purchased the above unregistered pCm should stop taking it immediately. Those who have consumed it and are feeling unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. People who have the product can submit it to the DH’s Chinese Medicine Division on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released today (March 14) the key analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund at the end of February 2019.
 
     Foreign assets, representing the external assets of the Exchange Fund, increased during the month by HK$20.1 billion to HK$3,577.5 billion.
 
     The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government‑issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to HK$1,646.6 billion.
 
     Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to HK$291.0 billion.
 
     The analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund are released in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and are referred to as the Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank under SDDS (Annex).
 
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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS). The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of March 2019, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows: