The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (August 17) visited the International Culinary Institute of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to better understand the institute's development and achievements in training talent in culinary arts and for the catering industry. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, also joined the visit.
      
     Accompanied by the Chairman of the VTC, Mr Tony Tai, and former Chairman of the VTC and President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung, Mr Lee and the officials visited various training facilities of the institute, including the Culinarium, the Wine Forum, a café, and training kitchens of bakery and pastry. Mr Lee also interacted with students to understand their learning progress and aspirations for career development.
      
     Mr Lee said that with its commitment to nurturing talent in culinary arts, wine and beverage business management, the International Culinary Institute makes significant contributions to maintaining Hong Kong's status as Asia's wine-and-dine destination. He expressed his hope that the institute, as well as other member institutions under the VTC, will continue to nurture more local professionals for various industries, with a view to enhancing the overall competitiveness of Hong Kong.

          

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, August 17, 2023 is 105.8 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     Regarding a report released by the Ombudsman today (August 17) on its direct investigation into the Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Voucher (CCSV) for the Elderly (the Scheme), the Social Welfare Department (SWD) responds as follows:
      
     The SWD expresses its gratitude for the advice of the Ombudsman and is pleased to note that the Ombudsman recognises the effectiveness of the Scheme. The SWD accepts and will actively follow up on the report's recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the Scheme.

     To encourage elderly persons to age in place, the Scheme provides more diversified community care services for elderly persons who have been assessed and recommended as suitable for receiving residential care services or community care services under the Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services. Under the principle of co-payment by CCSV holders and the Government, eligible elderly persons can choose their own recognised service providers, service types and service packages which suit their needs. As of the end of July 2023, a total of 7 377 elderly persons were receiving services through the Scheme.

     The Scheme will be regularised in September this year. The number of beneficiaries will increase from the existing 8 000 to 12 000 in 2025/26 by phases. The scope of the CCSV will also be expanded to include rental of assistive technology products to enhance the quality of life of the elderly and alleviate the pressure on their carers. Upon regularisation of the Scheme, CCSV holders will be able to purchase services from two recognised service providers at the same time, thus increasing the flexibility of using CCSV services.

     The SWD will also launch the Voucher Information System for the Elderly in September this year, through which CCSV holders will be able to access real-time information on voucher usage, search for recognised service providers, etc.  

     The SWD hopes that the new measures to be introduced after regularisation will attract more eligible elderly persons to use CCSV services and encourage more service providers to participate in the Scheme. As recommended by the Ombudsman, the SWD will step up publicity on CCSV services to the elderly and their carers through newspaper or television interviews on real cases to raise the public awareness about the Scheme.

     The SWD will continue to listen to the views of the industry and different stakeholders, and review the implementation of relevant measures under the Scheme, so as to refine the Scheme in a timely manner to meet the needs of the elderly. 

     â€‹An owner was convicted and fined $28,408 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on August 8 for failing to comply with a fire safety direction issued under the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (FS(B)O) (Cap. 572).

     â€‹The Buildings Department (BD) issued a fire safety direction under section 5(2)(a)(ii) of the FS(B)O to the owner of a unit in a 56-year-old composite building at San Hong Street, Sheung Shui, requiring the owner to comply with the fire safety construction requirements by providing a fire-rated door at the unit entrance.

     â€‹Failing to comply with the statutory direction, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was convicted and fined by the court.

     â€‹"According to the FS(B)O, failing to comply with a statutory direction issued under the ordinance without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The BD may instigate prosecution proceedings against the owner", a spokesman for the BD said today (August 17).

     â€‹Pursuant to section 5(8) of the FS(B)O, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a statutory direction, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 4 ($25,000 at present) and to a further fine of $2,500 for each day of non-compliance. Upon conviction, an application may also be made to a court for a Fire Safety Compliance Order against the owner under section 6(1) of the FS(B)O directing the owner to comply with the requirements of the direction.

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 Chong Hing Bank Limited relating to a fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions.  They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.