The following is issued on behalf of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee Secretariat:
      
     The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee held its 48th meeting today (July 20). At the meeting, members were briefed by the Consumer Council (the Council) on the overview of its functions and structure, and the content of the flagship publication, CHOICE Magazine. The roles of the Council in facilitating business through resolving disputes between consumers and traders, as well as its development direction in the application of advanced technology to dispute resolution were also covered in the meeting.
 
     CHOICE Magazine, through a complaint repository, product testing and market research, and product quality monitoring, protects the interests of consumers. Furthermore, the Council will update its complaint handling system and introduce an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform in the next two to three years with a view to enabling efficient handling of complaints and provide the most convenient way for complainants and traders to negotiate and resolve consumption disputes. 
 
     The Committee appreciated the Council's commitment in safeguarding the interests of consumers and facilitating business through product testing, market research and the ODR platform.
 
     The Committee also received the work reports of its three task forces:
 
Wholesale and Retail Task Force (WRTF)
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• The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) briefed the WRTF on the implementation of the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP). The TVP has become a regular funding programme under the Innovation and Technology Fund since February 2019. The ITC will continue to promote the TVP to industries, and introduce further enhancement measures where appropriate to encourage and facilitate the industries in making use of the TVP. The WRTF welcomed the regularisation of the TVP and suggested the ITC to streamline the vetting procedures to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enhance competitiveness through better adoption of technologies.

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• The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) briefed the WRTF on the regulatory framework under the Mercury Control Ordinance (Cap. 640) (the Ordinance). The Ordinance regulates matters including the import, export, keeping and use of mercury, mercury mixtures and mercury compounds, as well as the import, export, manufacture and supply of mercury-added products. The WRTF thanked the EPD for their clarification of the regulatory framework for the Ordinance and the relevant situations that are exempted from the Ordinance.

 
Food Business and Related Services Task Force (FRSTF)
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• In response to the FRSTF's earlier suggestions to the Labour Department (LD) on the statutory requirement of "notification of workplaces", the FRSTF Secretariat reported to the FRSTF the progress of the LD's follow up actions, namely the provision of a one-stop submission service for food business licence applications and "notification of workplaces" via the website of the Business Licence Information Service of Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs of the Trade and Industry Department. The trade may also contact LD district offices to enquire about the notification record regarding their respective premises.

• The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) briefed the enhanced online licensing services related to liquor licences/club liquor licences. Apart from the new functions assisting applicants to fill in the required information more easily, members of the public can also use a single digital identity to log in to the system through the "iAM Smart" mobile app and sign digitally. The FRSTF welcomed the FEHD's committed efforts in enhancing the electronic licensing services, and recommended strengthening the publicity to keep food business operators better informed so that they can make use of the service.

 
Task Force on Business Liaison Groups (BLGTF)
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• The FEHD, Fire Services Department (FSD) and Buildings Department (BD) briefed the BLGTF on the streamlined arrangements which have already been extended to cover Temporary Places of Public Entertainment Licence (TPPEL) applications from premises other than theme parks and attractions to facilitate them in organising temporary public entertainment activities involving temporary structures lasting for more than one month. These include the FEHD allowing the applicants to submit only one application form for applying for a new TPPEL and two consecutive renewals for an activity lasting for no more than three months. Furthermore, if the layout and all other details (including the temporary structures) of the activity remain unchanged, the FSD will grant a Fire Services Certificate with a validity period covering the whole period of the activity while the BD will accept a single authorised person/registered structural engineer's certification on the structural safety of the temporary structures covering the whole period of the activity. The BLGTF thanked the relevant departments for implementing the business facilitation measures which help reduce trade operators' operational cost and administrative burden.

 
     The Committee also expressed appreciation of the commitment and achievements of the bureaux and departments in continuously enhancing their business licensing services under the "Be the Smart Regulator" Programme.
      
     Papers for the Committee meeting are available at www.gov.hk/en/business/supportenterprises/bf/advisory/index.htm for public access.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) welcomes the announcement of the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) today (July 20) on providing customers with an additional payment arrangement in respect of residential mortgage refinancing transactions as an alternative. The arrangement has been endorsed by the HKMA.
      
     Under the newly added payment arrangement for property transactions (PAPT), bank customers may choose to adopt direct transfer via the interbank payment system for a mortgage refinancing transaction, under which the mortgage loan proceeds will be directly transferred from the mortgage institution providing the new mortgage (refinancing mortgage institution) to the original mortgage institution. As compared to the existing practice where loan proceeds are transferred by the refinancing mortgage institution to law firms and held custody, followed by law firms arranging for repayment of customers' original mortgage loans, the PAPT is more in line with developments in fintech, and better protects residential mortgage customers against any unforeseeable circumstances leading to customers' funds being frozen. The PAPT is also applicable to other refinancing scenarios such as changing borrowers for a mortgage loan provided by the same mortgage institution, and cash-out from a mortgage-free property, etc.
      
     Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Arthur Yuen, said, "Selected banks conducted a pilot run in the second quarter of this year, during which a series of pilot mortgage refinancing transactions using the PAPT had been smoothly completed. As a result, the banking industry has today announced the expansion of the pilot arrangement to all licensed banks offering residential mortgage loans. The HKMA fully supports the PAPT, which is a major initiative to facilitate the development of digital finance and an important step to strengthen the protection of banks' mortgage customers. The HKMA would like to thank the industry and other stakeholders for their enormous effort in setting out the details of the PAPT over the past year or so. The HKMA will continue to work closely with the industry and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of the PAPT."
      
     Licensed banks offering residential mortgage loans will provide customers who are seeking mortgage refinancing with the option of the PAPT within this year, and will introduce the details of the PAPT to relevant customers in due course.

     The Government announced today (July 20) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.
 
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the Housing Department and the respective District Offices will commence distributing about 300 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• Tai Po District – Fu Heng Estate, Wan Tau Tong Estate, The Regent, Grand Palisades, The Paragon, The Paramount, JC Castle, Grand Dynasty View, Dynasty View, The Balmoral and Fu Tip Estate
• Wong Tai Sin District – Tin Wang Court, Tin Ma Court, Tsui Chuk Garden, Chuk Yuen United Village and Upper Wong Tai Sin Estate
• Sha Tin District – Seanorama, Altissimo, Double Cove, Double Cove Summit, Double Cove Starview, Double Cove Starview Prime, Double Cove Grandview, Lake Silver, St. Barths (including villas), Hin Keng Estate and Hin Yiu Estate

     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.
 
     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose of them properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.
 
     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (July 20) welcomed the publication of the 13th annual report of the Process Review Panel (PRP) for the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).
 
     Mr Chan said, "Process review is an important institutional function designed to help enhance the transparency and accountability of the FRC in performing its statutory functions under the Financial Reporting Council Ordinance. In 2021, the PRP conducted a comprehensive review on selected cases handled by the FRC in the preceding year. The PRP has made useful observations and suggestions which are conducive to the further improvement of the work of the FRC.
 
     "I would like to express my gratitude to members of the PRP for their dedication in working with the FRC to enhance our financial reporting and corporate governance regime."
 
     The PRP is an independent panel established by the Chief Executive to review cases handled by the FRC, and to consider whether actions taken by the FRC are consistent with its internal procedures and guidelines. The establishment of the PRP reflects the Government's commitment to enhancing the accountability of the FRC.

     A total of 12 young persons in custody enrolled in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination this year, enriching themselves to prepare for further studies or employment after release.

     The results of the HKDSE Examination were released today (July 20). The 12 young persons in custody from Pik Uk Correctional Institution (PUCI) and Lai King Correctional Institution, who took a total of 65 examination papers, obtained level 2 or above in 49 papers, or 75.4 per cent of all papers taken. One of the candidates at PUCI scored the highest result with 20 marks overall in six subjects. Another two candidates met the general entrance requirements for local universities.

     The exams sat included the four core subjects of Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Liberal Studies as well as the two electives of Economics and Tourism and Hospitality Studies.

     The Correctional Services Department has provided education to help young persons in custody below 21 years of age to gain accredited qualifications and develop positive values, hoping that they can further their studies, find jobs and reintegrate into society after release. 
      
     An 18-year-old candidate at PUCI, Siu-kit (false name), scored 18 marks overall in the six papers taken. He was sentenced to the training centre for committing a crime when he was in Form 6. He dreamed of entering a university while he was studying in secondary school to show gratitude to his parents. Unfortunately, his results could not meet the minimum requirements of entering local universities when he took the HKDSE Examination for the first time. He was even sent to jail after making a wrong decision. In the early days of his training in the institution, he felt that he would not have a future and felt extremely sorry for his family. Being encouraged by his family and teachers afterwards, he was determined to make a breakthrough by studying the New Senior Secondary Curriculum again and applying for the HKDSE Examination. This year, he has successfully obtained results which have met the general entrance requirement for local universities.
      
     Another 18-year-old candidate at PUCI, Lok-chai (false name), scored 17 marks overall in the six papers taken. He had only studied up to the Form 4 level before his conviction. Being affected by online fake information and his peers, he committed a crime and was sentenced to jail. He reflected in the institution, and deeply regretted what he had done. He hoped to turn a new leaf through further study. With the encouragement of his family and teachers, he decided to study the New Senior Secondary Curriculum in the institution in order to obtain higher qualifications. Although he only achieved level 2 in English Language, which cannot meet the general entrance requirement for local universities, he will apply for a higher diploma or an associate degree program. He has also decided to take English Language again next year, hoping to enter university in the future.