The Government announced today (November 15) the reappointment of five incumbent members and the appointment of a new member to the Management Committee of the Consumer Legal Action Fund for a term of two years.
 
Reappointment (with effect from November 16, 2024):
Ms Gilly Wong Fung-han (ex-officio member)
 
Reappointments (with effect from December 6, 2024):
Mr Richard Khaw Wei-kiang, SC
Mr Eugene Liu
Mr Johnny Ma Ka-chun, SC
Mr Alan Ng Man-sang
 
New appointment (with effect from December 6, 2024):
Ms Vinci Lam Wing-sai, SC
 
     A Government spokesman thanked the outgoing members, Mr Raymond Mak Ka-chun and Mr Selwyn Yu Sing-cheung, SC, for their contributions to the Management Committee during their tenure.
 
     The Consumer Legal Action Fund was established in 1994 to facilitate consumer access to legal remedies by providing legal assistance to consumers in cases involving significant consumer interests.
 
     The Consumer Council is the trustee of the Fund. The Management Committee assists the Consumer Council in managing the Fund and determining the eligibility of applications under the Fund.
 
     The membership of the Management Committee with effect from December 6, 2024, is as follows:
 
Ms Astina Au Sze-ting
Ms Theresa Lena Chow
Ms Stephanie Hung Yu-jie
Mr Richard Khaw Wei-kiang, SC
Ms Vinci Lam Wing-sai, SC
Mr Eugene Liu
Mr Johnny Ma Ka-chun, SC
Mr Alan Ng Man-sang
Dr Karen Shum Hau-yan
Ms Gilly Wong Fung-han (ex-officio member)
Mr Philip Wong Wing-cheong

      The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today (November 15) gazetted a notice to invite tenders for the contract for Hung Shui Kiu Effluent Polishing Plant Phase 1 – Civil Works (Contract No. DC/2024/11). The closing time for the tender is noon on January 10, 2025.
      
    The works mainly include:

• construction of the civil works for sewage and sludge treatment facilities and the associated utilities and roadworks of the proposed Hung Shui Kiu Effluent Polishing Plant;
• construction of an administration building, a maintenance workshop building and a utility bridge; and
• other related works.

 
    The works are scheduled to commence in July 2025 and will take about 64 months to complete.
      
      The DSD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors can download the tender forms and other particulars from the e-Tendering System (e-TS). Tenderers must submit their tenders in electronic format via the e-TS.
      
      Details of the tender notice are available on the DSD website (www.dsd.gov.hk/EN/Tender_Notices/Current_Tenders/index.html). For enquiries, please contact AECOM Asia Company Limited (tel: 3922 9000; fax: 3922 9797; email address: desmond.ng@aecom.com) during office hours.

     The Government today (November 15) gazetted the Air Pollution Control (Fuel Restriction) (Amendment) Regulation 2024.
 
     The Amendment Regulation will tighten the statutory limit on the sulphur content of liquid fuel for industrial and commercial use to 0.001 per cent and remove the restriction on the use of liquid and solid fuel in the Sha Tin Fuel Restriction Area (STFRA).
 
     "At present, industrial diesel supplied in Hong Kong already has a sulphur content not exceeding 0.001 per cent. The amendment of the statutory limit just reflects the actual market situation and will not cause any impact on the operational environment of the industrial and commercial sectors. On the other hand, over the past few decades, the planning and development of Sha Tin have shifted it towards a predominantly non-industrial area. The removal of the STFRA restrictions will allow a wider range of recreational and business activities using liquid and solid fuel to be conducted in Sha Tin without significant impact on its air quality," a Government spokesman said.
 
     The Amendment Regulation will be tabled before the Legislative Council for negative vetting on November 20. Subject to the approval of the Council, the Amendment Regulation will take effect on April 1, 2025.
 

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 15) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Middle Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended the 35th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Lima, Peru, on November 14 (Lima time) to share Hong Kong's efforts to promote digitalisation, and inclusive and sustainable growth of trade to benefit all.
 
     At a discussion session entitled "Innovation and digitalisation to promote transition to the formal and global economy", Mr Yau highlighted the importance of harnessing digital technologies to facilitate formalisation, adding that digital government services can help slash the cost of doing business and promote participation in the formal and global economy.
 
     Mr Yau also briefed other ministers on Hong Kong's investment in digital infrastructure to create an enabling environment for businesses, such as the launch of the Commercial Data Interchange to facilitate data sharing among banks and businesses. In addition, he noted that recognising the challenges faced by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, Hong Kong has been promoting the use of online dispute resolution to resolve cross-border commercial disputes in the region.
 
     Turning to the topic "Sustainable growth for a resilient development", Mr Yau said that APEC member economies should scale up finance and investment in innovation, research and development to support the transition to a green and low-carbon economy.
 
     "As a leading green financing hub in Asia, Hong Kong is committed to facilitating the transition in the region. Over the past three years, we issued and arranged an average of over US$63 billion in green bonds and debts annually. We have invested substantial resources in building a vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem, focusing on key sectors such as new energy and new materials," he said.
 
     He added that Hong Kong will remain a strong advocate for APEC's efforts on environmental goods and services, recognising their potential as a catalyst for accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy through the power of trade.
 
     Speaking at another session entitled "Trade and investment for an inclusive and interconnected growth", Mr Yau pointed out that over the years, APEC has proposed and implemented numerous innovative and mutually supportive initiatives that complement global trade rules, while addressing the specific needs and dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region.
 
     He said that both the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) serve as crucial pathways towards realising the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific proposed by the APEC Business Advisory Council some 20 years ago.
 
     "Hong Kong is actively seeking to join the RCEP. We are glad to see the recent adoption of its accession procedures and look forward to launching substantive discussions between RCEP members and Hong Kong. We are more than ready to contribute to this largest free trade agreement of the world as a solid building block in creating a more interconnected region," Mr Yau reiterated.
 
     On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr Yau met with the Minister of Commerce of Thailand, Mr Pichai Naripthaphan, on November 13 (Lima time) to update him on Hong Kong's latest developments and exchange views on collaboration opportunities. He also held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Trade of Indonesia, Mr Budi Santoso, to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.