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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: 
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office (IFFO) hosted a presentation session with the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) of the World Bank Group today (July 18) in Hong Kong. At the seminar, the GIF discussed its role as a global collaborative platform and presented its project portfolio to more than 100 representatives from the private sector, including bankers, project finance experts and project operators.
 
     Housed in the World Bank Group, the GIF serves as a platform through which governments collaborate with multilateral development banks and private sector investors to design, structure and implement complex infrastructure projects in emerging economies. GIF’s private sector partners represent more than US$13 trillion in assets and include pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, fund managers and commercial banks. IFFO joined GIF as an Advisory Partner in March 2018.
 
     Private capital participation is the key to bridge the infrastructure financing gap. In today’s seminar, the GIF discussed its role in creating bankable infrastructure projects to further leverage private sector mobilisation. The presenters also discussed active projects in Tunisia and Vietnam to highlight the GIF’s support in designing and preparing complex infrastructure projects. 
 
     This event is another example of IFFO’s commitment in promoting deal facilitation in infrastructure investments and financing, and the high turnout at this event shows that the key stakeholders are keen to contribute to the development by using the Hong Kong platform.
 
About IFFO

     As part of the HKMA, IFFO’s mission is to facilitate infrastructure investments and their financing by working with a cluster of key stakeholders. The functions of IFFO are:

• providing a platform for information exchange and experience sharing;
• building capacity and knowledge on infrastructure investments and financing;
• promoting market and product development; and
• facilitating infrastructure investment and financing flows.

     By establishing IFFO, the HKMA can play a valuable role as a catalyst in the facilitation of infrastructure investments and their financings with its mandate to promote Hong Kong as an international financial centre.
 
     For more information about IFFO, please visit www.iffo.org.hk.
 
About GIF

     The GIF is a partnership of governments, multilateral development banks and private sector financiers that facilitates private-sector investment in complex infrastructure projects in emerging economies. Established in March 2015, the GIF serves as a platform through which governments collaborate with international financial institutions and private sector investors to design, structure and implement these complex projects. The broad partnership ensures that well-structured and bankable infrastructure projects are brought to market in a way that meets the needs of governments and service users in a sustainable way. For more information, please visit www.globalinfrafacility.org. read more

     Police yesterday (July 17) held the Regional Traffic Day in Kowloon West to raise public awareness of road safety through stringent enforcement actions.      A total of 253 officers from Traffic… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     Members of the public are invited to visit the promotion booth set up by the Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) under the Sports Commission at the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo 2018 (HKSLE). The Expo runs from today (July 18) to July 24 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
 
     The MSEC invited the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Yeung Tak-keung, and the Vice-Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, to be the officiating guests at the launch ceremony of the promotion booth today. This is the first time that the MSEC has set up a promotion booth at the HKSLE. The booth features an exhibition of “M” Mark events, Kinect games and onshore dragon boat trial to introduce the MSEC and the “M” Mark branding to the general public and commercial sectors as well as call for support of “M” Mark events. Moreover, as the 2018 Asian Games is approaching in August, a photo taking corner and props are available for the public to show their support for Hong Kong athletes.
 
     “M” Mark events showcase Hong Kong’s capability to host world-class events and reinforce its position as the events capital of Asia. “M” Mark events also help generate economic benefits for Hong Kong by attracting tourists. They also instil a sustainable sporting culture in the community, and help foster a sense of pride and social cohesion.

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     A two-day blood donation drive is being held at the Central Government Offices from today (July 18) to encourage government employees to support the call of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) by donating blood regularly to save lives.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, together with the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, and colleagues of various policy bureaux, visited the blood donation venue to show the Government’s enthusiastic support.

     The BTS, which provides blood to all public and private hospitals in Hong Kong for patients’ use, is currently conducting blood collection exercises at various government departments. In the next few months, the BTS will arrange for blood donation to take place at different government departments as well as collaborate with some government departments and offices to organise events for public participation.
  
     Mr Cheung said, “With an ageing population, the demand for blood supply will constantly increase. In 2017, the total figures of donor attendance and successful blood collection dropped by around 5 per cent as compared with 2016 levels. Furthermore, 22 per cent of donations from prospective donors were deferred for various reasons, with more than half of such deferrals due to low haemoglobin levels among donors.

     “There is no substitute for blood, and the shelf life of blood is limited. The BTS needs regular blood donation by the public in order to ensure a sufficient blood supply for needy patients for daily transfusions. A single donation can help three or more patients.”

     Mr Cheung stressed that the Government will continue to support the blood donation drive and assist the BTS in promoting blood donation.
 
     Led by Professor Chan, more than 50 staff of the Food and Health Bureau attended this morning’s event.

     The Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Professor John Leong, and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Leung Pak-yin, also attended the blood donation drive this morning. They expressed appreciation for the support of government employees in donating blood to help people in need.

     By using the mobile app “HK Blood”, members of the public can easily look up their blood donation record, make a blood donation appointment, find the locations of Blood Donor Centres and Mobile Blood Collection Teams and receive the latest news about blood donation.

     A sustained and stable blood supply is only possible with the support of all sectors of the community. For details of the Blood Donor Centres, please visit the BTS’ website www.ha.org.hk/rcbts or enquire at 2710 1234.
 

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     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit Shenzhen on July 20. The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong; the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will also join the visit.

     Mrs Lam will meet with leaders of the Shenzhen Municipal Government and visit a technology enterprise to learn about developments in areas such as smart city and smart healthcare. She will also visit Longgang District, where she will meet with Hong Kong people who have set up businesses there and tour the Robot Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen.

     Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on the same day. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be Acting Chief Executive. read more