Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs today (November 15) detected a case involving a local company that conducted multiple transactions of diamonds, with each transaction valued at over HK$120,000 without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. A director of the company was arrested.

     The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), the Regime came into effect on April 1, 2023. Any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones in Hong Kong and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with the Commissioner of Customs and Excise. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

     Hong Kong Customs reminds all dealers that the transitional period for registration under the Regime has ended. Any dealers in precious metals and stones must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

     For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Hong Kong Customs’ webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

     Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002). read more

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin (HKETO Berlin) is supporting the 18th Five Flavours Asian Film Festival taking place from November 13 to 20 (Warsaw time) in Warsaw.       Speaking before the … read more

     The Fire Services Department (FSD) has been mounting territory-wide special enforcement actions in phases at domestic and composite buildings since July. As of end-October, the FSD inspected 122 such buildings in Kwun Tong District and issued 31 warning letters to relevant incorporated owners, reminding them to submit valid fire service installations and equipment certificates before the specified deadline.

     Eleven incorporated owners of these buildings in Kwun Tong District (listed in the Annex) were prosecuted by the FSD for failing to conduct annual inspections of fire service installations or equipment on their premises. They were convicted and fined a total of $32,700 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (November 15). 

     According to the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations, any person who owns any fire service installation or equipment installed in any premises commits an offence if they fail to have such fire service installation or equipment inspected by a registered contractor at least once in every 12 months. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000. 

     The FSD will continue to conduct territory-wide special enforcement actions in various districts and remind owners of fire service installations or equipment in the premises to have such fire service installations or equipment inspected by a registered contractor at least once in every 12 months.
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     The Women Empowerment Fund is open for the second round of applications this year starting from today (November 15) until December 16. The Fund subsidises projects that support women in juggling their jobs and family life, bring awareness to women’s physical and mental health, and unleash their potential.
              
     Set up in June 2023, the Fund aims to empower women, regardless of their age, occupation or background, to unlock their full potential in their respective roles, ultimately achieving the goal of promoting women’s development in Hong Kong.
              
     The Fund is divided into general and thematic projects. The funding cap for each one-year and two-year general project is $400,000 and $800,000 respectively. Starting from this year, the Fund has regularised the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Programme under the thematic project. Each exchange programme shall be completed within one year, and the funding cap is $120,000.
          
     In addition, a new thematic project, the Programme on Women’s Participation in Community Services, was launched this year. It aims to encourage women to make use of their strengths to plan and launch community service projects, thereby promoting care and inclusion. Each community services programme shall be completed within one year, and the funding cap is $400,000.
              
     The Fund accepts two rounds of applications each year. The Guide to Application and the application form have been uploaded to the Fund’s website (www.wef.gov.hk). Interested eligible women’s groups and non-governmental organisations may submit an electronic or paper application. read more

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (15 November) that, as advised by the postal administration of Canada, due to a local strike, mail delivery services to Canada are subject to delay. read more