The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, November 5, 2018 is 105.4 (down 0.2 against last Saturday's index).
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, November 3, 2018 was 105.6 (up 0.3 against last Friday's index).
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 5) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza in Phu Yen Province in Vietnam, the CFS has suspended the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the province with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that at present, Hong Kong has an established protocol with Vietnam for the import of poultry eggs but not for poultry meat. Hong Kong imported 650 000 poultry eggs from the country in the first nine months of this year.
"The CFS has contacted the Vietnamese authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
To promote the community living in public housing estates, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) today (November 5) launched a territory-wide short video competition. Entries are now invited.
The "Making Precious Memories – Life in Public Housing" Short Video Contest is open for current and former public housing residents to participate by sharing their fond memories and experiences of living in public housing.
Entrants are invited to produce videos with the theme and content related to life in public housing and harmonious relationships among family, friends and neighbours. The video should not exceed three minutes and can be produced in Cantonese, Putonghua or English, with headings and corresponding subtitles in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese or English.
The contest comes in two categories, namely Open and Secondary School. Entrants may choose to participate either individually or in a team of up to four members. Judging criteria of the videos include content, creativity, impact and audio-visual effects.
Each group has a champion, first runner-up, second runner-up and a merit prize. Winners will be awarded electrical appliances cash coupons.
Interested participants should first submit an entry form. The entry forms and competition leaflets can be obtained at all public housing estate offices under the HA, or downloaded from the competition webpage in the HA/Housing Department website: www.housingauthority.gov.hk/video-contest.
Completed entry forms should be submitted on or before December 10. The deadline for submitting videos is January 25, 2019.
For enquiries, please call the contest hotline 6736 4205.
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited on phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the email concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the email should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
​The owner of Chi Lim Decoration Company at Metropole Building in North Point instructed his staff to illegally dispose of renovation waste on North View Street in North Point this June. He was convicted and fined $5,000 by Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (November 5) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
During the handling of a noise complaint at night on June 12, staff of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) found two persons disposing of eight bags of renovation waste on the roadside of North View Street after they left Metropole Building in North Point. The persons concerned fled the scene when they were intercepted by EPD staff. The EPD later traced that the persons involved were the owner of Chi Lim Decoration Company and his staff. The EPD subsequently prosecuted the owner in accordance with the WDO after collecting sufficient evidence.
The spokesman reminded all renovation and construction works contractors that they should dispose of demolition waste as well as construction waste properly in accordance with the law. Reusable materials or waste with a recycling value should be collected by recyclers, while non-recyclable waste should be delivered to government waste management facilities, such as public fill banks or landfills. Under the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to dispose of waste in public places. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.