The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (October 17) attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers' Meeting (FMM) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

     The FMM this year focused on a range of topics, including global and regional economic and financial outlook, promoting infrastructure financing, as well as strengthening international tax co-operation and transparency.

     At the FMM, Mr Chan stated that as a global financial and funding raising centre, Hong Kong plays a crucial role in infrastructure financing. The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong provides a clear pathway for infrastructure project companies looking to achieve a listing in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has established the Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office and signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, to support the financing of its projects.

     The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited under the HKMA will also pursue the securitisation of infrastructure loans, in order to facilitate flow of capital into infrastructure projects. In addition, Hong Kong can provide professional arbitration and mediation services for infrastructure projects.

     He also pointed out that Hong Kong has been supportive to foster international tax co-operation and enhance tax transparency. Hong Kong will continue with efforts to keep a simple and business-friendly tax regime while complying with the international requirements.

     At the margins of the FMM, Mr Chan took part in the APEC Business Advisory Council's Executive Dialogue to enhance communication and collaboration with the business sector.

     At the press conference after the FMM, Mr Chan stressed that in spite of the rising trend of protectionism these days, Hong Kong is firmly committed to safeguarding free trade and the multilateral trade system. He expressed the hope that free trade is enhanced through negotiation and global co-operation.

     Tomorrow (October 18), Mr Chan will hold bilateral meeting with finance officials participating in FMM and return to Hong Kong.

        

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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

　　The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 17) that due to suspension of water supply resulting from water pipe burst in the vicinity, North Kwai Chung Jockey Club Swimming Pool in Kwai Tsing District will be temporarily closed from 7.30pm today until further notice.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about four kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $2.1 million at Hong Kong International Airport on October 15.

     Two male passengers, aged 20 and 22, arrived in Hong Kong from Phnom Penh, Cambodia in the afternoon on October 15. During Customs clearance, each of them was found to have four packets of suspected methamphetamine strapped on the body. Both of them were then arrested.

     The two men have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 18).

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The energy management project jointly developed under the collaboration of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) and the Hospital Authority (HA) has been awarded the Regional Energy Project of the Year Award for the Asia-Pacific region by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in the United States. This is another award on energy management the department has received from the AEE, following the two regional energy management awards received last year.
 
     Over the years, the EMSD has been promoting energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable energy in Hong Kong to facilitate energy conservation and emission reduction. Last year, the EMSD received from the AEE the Regional Institutional Energy Management Award for the Asia-Pacific region, recognising its contribution in promoting, managing and implementing a comprehensive energy management programme. The energy management project involving the joint efforts between the EMSD and the HA in the installation of high-efficiency chillers for various hospitals was also commended.
 
     The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Alfred Sit, said today (October 16, Charlotte time) after the award presentation ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina, the United States, that the winning of international awards for two consecutive years by Hong Kong energy management projects demonstrates that the city's efforts in energy conservation and emission reduction have already assumed a leading position in the international arena. The EMSD will continue to strengthen collaboration with various sectors to promote energy conservation, emission reduction and sustainable development.
 
     Jointly developed by the HA and Towngas with support from the EMSD, this award-winning project is the first combined heat and power (CHP) electricity generation project in Hong Kong hospitals. The project not only utilises biogas generated from landfills to produce electricity for Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po and achieves the effect of turning waste into energy, but also makes use of the waste heat from power generation to produce steam and hot water for the facilities in the Hospital. Since adopting the CHP power generation system in 2016, the Hospital's consumption of towngas and electricity has dropped significantly, with an annual reduction of carbon emission by about 2 000 tonnes, thereby improving air quality and creating a green environment for the Hospital.
 
     The Senior Manager (Engineering) of the HA, Dr Yuen Pak-leung, said that he was delighted and encouraged by the HA's winning of another international energy award with its first project to turn waste into energy, subsequent to receiving an award for its project on large-scale replacement of air-conditioning units in hospitals with high-efficiency oil-free units last year. The HA will continue to explore opportunities in carrying out energy-saving measures in various hospitals and introduce more innovative energy facilities and management projects so as to operate the hospital facilities in a more energy-efficient manner and support reduction of carbon emissions for environmental protection.

    

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     The car park at Hong Kong Wetland Park is full. Motorists going to the Park can use the nearby public car parks at Tin Heng Estate, Tin Yat Estate, Grandeur Terrace or Tin Yip Road.
 
     Members of the public are encouraged to take public transport to the Park.