A woman who went missing in Yau Ma Tei was located.

     Sin Kit-ying, aged 36, went missing after she left her residence on Lee Yip Street on January 12 night. Her family made a report to Police on January 13.

     The woman was located on Lee Yip Street in Yau Ma Tei this morning (January 15). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (January 15) the January 2019 issue of the "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" (HKMDS).

     Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled "Hong Kong's External Direct Investment Statistics, 2008 to 2017" and "Pattern of Smoking".

"Hong Kong's External Direct Investment Statistics, 2008 to 2017"

     Hong Kong is an international financial centre and a premier business hub. It is also a gateway to the vast market of the mainland of China (the Mainland) as well as a platform for facilitating the Mainland enterprises to gain access to the global market. External direct investment (DI) between Hong Kong and the rest of the world, including the Mainland, is very sizable. Analysis of Hong Kong's DI statistics over the past years is useful in understanding the characteristics and trend of DI in Hong Kong.

     This feature article presents the salient features of Hong Kong's DI statistics in the past decade.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Balance of Payments Section, C&SD (Tel: 3903 7016; email: di@censtatd.gov.hk).

"Pattern of Smoking"

     The C&SD conducted a Thematic Household Survey on the pattern of smoking of the Hong Kong population aged 15 and over during June to September 2017 to collect information on the number of smokers and their smoking pattern. This feature article briefly describes the major findings of the survey.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Social Surveys Section, C&SD (Tel: 2887 0416; email: thematic@censtatd.gov.hk).

     Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 140 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp460.jsp?productCode=B1010002).

     Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Services Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

     A recycling site operated by E. Tech Management (HK) Limited at the EcoPark in Tuen Mun failed to store chemical waste properly and was convicted and fined $19,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (January 15) for contravening the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
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     Environmental Protection Department (EPD) staff conducted a surprise inspection last August and found that the recycling site operated by E. Tech Management (HK) Limited at the EcoPark in Tuen Mun did not properly handle waste printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are classified as chemical waste. After investigation and evidence collection, it was confirmed that the recycling site concerned used non-compliant containers and failed to seal chemical waste properly. The chemical waste containers were not labelled and were stored in an improper place without displaying a warning sign. The department subsequently prosecuted E. Tech Management (HK) Limited for contravening the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
      
     The EPD spokesman explained that waste PCBs are chemical waste and, if not properly handled, will pollute the environment and pose a risk to the health of relevant trade practitioners and the general public.
      
     The EPD reminds operating companies of recycling sites that they should strictly comply with the relevant law on the control of chemical waste. They should register with the EPD in accordance with the law if they produce chemical waste. Chemical waste must be properly packaged, labelled and stored, as well as collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to licensed chemical waste disposal facilities for disposal. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.
      
     The spokesman also reminded practitioners in the recycling industry that the disposal licensing control, import and export control and disposal bans at designated waste disposal facilities of regulated electrical and electronic equipment (REE) (including waste air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors) under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) came into effect on December 31, 2018. Unless with exemptions, any person who is engaged in the storage, treatment, reprocessing or recycling (but not repair) of waste REE must obtain a waste disposal licence (e-WDL) issued by the EPD under the law. A permit issued by the EPD is also required for the import and export of waste REE.

  

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 is 103.4 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

Hong Kong Monetary Authority Exchange Fund Bills Tender Results
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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning January 21, 2019 :