Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the Chinese Banking Association of Hong Kong co-organised a seminar on the banking sector’s support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) today (June 24), which was successfully concluded. Supporting organisations included the Trade and Industry Department’s Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs, The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, The Chinese Banks’ Association, Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation and Hong Kong Productivity Council. The seminar brought together 200 representatives from the banking sector, trade associations and chambers and SME operators (see Annex 1), who have actively exchanged views on the banking sector’s support measures as well as diverse services for SMEs.

     Since the introduction of the nine SME support measures by the HKMA and the Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism on March 28 this year, around 7 000 SMEs have benefitted from the measures, involving an aggregate credit limit of over HK$15 billion. Today’s seminar enabled the banking sector to further understand the needs of SMEs, while at the same time strengthened customers’ awareness of the support measures.

     The three panel discussions covered topics including how banks leverage financial technology, including the HKMA’s Interbank Account Data Sharing (IADS) initiative, to help SMEs obtain bank financing in an easier and faster manner, and how banks support the business transformation of SMEs. Several SME operators shared experiences and success stories of how they have benefitted from the banks’ support in branching out into other markets and expanding their business to different regions (see Annex 2).

     The HKMA will continue to maintain close communication and exchange with the banking and commercial sectors to support the continuous development of SMEs.

          

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Tai Kok Tsui this afternoon (June 24) in which a man died.      The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene … read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:      The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport observed the demonstration of functions of eTraffic Ticket Platform at the Police Headquarters today (Ju… read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 24) announced that a trace amount of metabolite (AOZ) of furazolidone (a type of nitrofurans), a non-permitted veterinary drug, was found in a sample of prepackaged frozen shrimp. Members of the public should not consume the affected batch of the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it. The CFS is following up on the case.
      
     Product details are as follows:
 
Product name: (Not available in English)
Place of origin: Vietnam
Packer: Cheung Kee Sea Products (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Net weight: 250 grams
Best-before date: December 30, 2025
 
     A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the shrimp sample from an online shop for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained AOZ at a level of 9.2 parts per billion.”
      
     “The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. According to the CFS’s instructions, the packer has initiated a recall on the affected batch of the product. Members of the public may call its hotline at 2858 9262 during office hours for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned,” the spokesman added.
      
     The CFS will alert the Vietnamese authorities and the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (June 26) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debates on the Extension of Government Leases Bill, Marine Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Bill, Shipping Legislation (Electronic Certificates and Electronic Documents) (Amendment) Bill 2024 and Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions for Intellectual Property Income) Bill 2024 will resume. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Reading, they will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bills and their reports are adopted by the Council, the Bills will be set down for the Third Reading.
 
     On Members’ motions, Mr Chan Chun-ying will move a motion on enacting dedicated laws and regulations to regulate greenwashing. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Luk Chung-hung and Dr Hoey Simon Lee will move separate amendments to Mr Chan Chun-ying’s motion.
 
     Mr Martin Liao will move a motion on establishing sound industry and supply chains and related services and developing Hong Kong into a multinational supply chain management centre. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Johnny Ng, Dr Kennedy Wong, Dr Wendy Hong and Dr Hoey Simon Lee will move separate amendments to Mr Martin Liao’s motion.
 
     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
 
     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats. read more