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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing on “Provision of consultancy, research and development and training services by the Hong Kong Productivity Council” (Chapter 2) of the Director of Audit’s Report No.73 at 9am tomorrow (January 7) in Conference Room 3 of the LegCo Complex.

     Eight witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearing to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by PAC members.

     The programme for the public hearing is as follows:

Date: January 7 (Tuesday)
Time: 9am
Venue: Conference Room 3
 
Subject:
Provision of consultancy, research and development and training services by the Hong Kong Productivity Council
(Chapter 2 of the Director of Audit’s Report No.73)

Witnesses:
Mr Nicholas Yang
Secretary for Innovation and Technology

Ms Annie Choi
Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology

Ms Rebecca Pun
Commissioner for Innovation and Technology

Miss Kathy Chan
Assistant Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (Funding Schemes)

Mr Mohamed D Butt
Executive Director, Hong Kong Productivity Council

Dr Lawrence Cheung
Chief Innovation Officer, Hong Kong Productivity Council

Mr Edmond Lai
Chief Digital Officer, Hong Kong Productivity Council

Ms Vivian Lin
Chief Financial Officer, Hong Kong Productivity Council

     PAC is chaired by Mr Abraham Shek, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Kenneth Leung. Other members include Mr Paul Tse, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Ms Tanya Chan. read more

     To mark the beginning of the new year, Hongkong Post announced today (January 6) that it will issue its first set of special stamps “Year of the Rat” on January 11. While on the day of “Spring Commences”, i.e. the 11th day of the first month on the lunar calendar which falls on February 4, the “24 Solar Terms – Spring” special stamp issue will be launched to herald the vibrancy of spring. The issue dates of the two sets of special stamps contain six figures of the number “1”.  With the auspicious meanings it carries, Hongkong Post would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone all happiness, prosperity and every success in the year ahead.
 
     The “Year of the Rat” stamp issue this time brings a wide range of philatelic products, including a silk stamp sheetlet, a prestigious first day cover, a presentation pack and red packets that highlight the festivity of the new year. As the ninth issue of the fourth Lunar New Year special stamp series, the “Year of the Rat” continues to feature different art forms, showcasing clay, embroidery, ceramic and glass crafts of rats in a set of four stamps and a stamp sheetlet.
 
     The two Heartwarming Stamps (2020 Version) “Year of the Rat” mini-panes adopt the respective designs of the $2 and $4.90 mint stamps. On the same day, the “Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Pig/Rat” will also be launched as the eighth issue of the second series. The pig stamp is hot-foiled with silver, while the rat stamp is affixed with 22K gold-plated lace metal against a reddish-orange background with a lively and joyous pattern of prestigious peonies.
 
     “24 Solar Terms – Spring” is the first special stamp issue themed on the 24 solar terms launched by Hongkong Post. A set of six stamps is presented in brilliant colours to depict the six solar terms of spring. Arranged in tête – bêche pairs, it is the first time for Hongkong Post to issue semicircular stamps.
 
     Apart from the above stamp products, a newly designed 2020 souvenir cover will be put on sale at $1.50 at all philatelic offices, as well as Hongkong Post’s online shopping mall “ShopThruPost” (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) starting from today.
 
     For the convenience of customers who wish to place additional orders for these special stamps and associated philatelic products without the need to visit any post office, a new round of online advance order services is now available on the “ShopThruPost” platform within the period from today until the respective issue dates of the stamp issues.
 
     Information about the special stamp issues and associated philatelic products is available on Hongkong Post’s website at www.hongkongpost.hk and the Hongkong Post Mobile App.

                                

     The Land Registry today (January 6) released its statistics for 2019.                          &… read more

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 Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited on fraudulent webs… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) reminded members of the public that the Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) Flats 2019 (GSH 2019) will close on Thursday (January 9) at 7pm. Applications submitted after the application period will not be accepted.

     A spokesman for the HA said today (January 6), “Online applications are provided in addition to paper-based submissions for GSH 2019. Applicants may choose either to submit paper-based application forms by post or by hand, or to submit online applications. Each person can only be listed on one application form of this sale exercise (whether online or paper-based application), otherwise the applications will be regarded as duplicates. Any case of a duplicate application will render all applications null and void, and application fees paid are non-refundable and non-transferrable under any circumstances. Details are set out in the Application Guide.

     “There are three more days for submitting applications. It is expected that some applicants tend to submit their online applications shortly before the close of applications, particularly a few hours before the deadline. The online system is expected to be busy. In order to avoid experiencing difficulties in logging-in or a delay in processing the applications, applicants are therefore urged to submit their online applications as early as possible to ensure successful submissions before the deadline,” the spokesman said.

     The spokesman reminded applicants that online amendments are not allowed after the online applications are confirmed and payments are completed. If applicants find that they have filled in their information incorrectly, they are required to inform the HA’s GSH Sales Unit in writing to correct the information given before the close of applications on January 9 with the application number or identity card number specified.

     “For applicants living in the public rental housing estates of the HA or the rental estates of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS) who submit applications online, their respective estate offices will contact them and verify their household information after receiving their online applications. The estate offices concerned will prepare hard copies of the application forms, and applicants and all family members aged 18 or above will have to sign on the application forms and return them to their respective estate offices for further processing,” the spokesman said.

     “About 40,000 valid Green Form applicants under the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2019 who opted to join the next HA Subsidised Sale Flats sale exercise will be carried over to GSH 2019. These applicants do not need to submit separate applications nor pay the application fees. However, if there are changes in the family’s composition, the respective applicants should inform us as soon as possible. If the changes affect their application category as well as their priority for flat selection, they are required to inform us in writing during the application period of GSH 2019. Moreover, if applicants have successfully purchased a flat under HOS 2019, their application for GSH 2019 will be cancelled immediately, and vice versa,” the spokesman said.

     “The closing time for receiving applications, whether paper-based or online, is 7pm on January 9. For paper-based applications, applicants who are tenants of public rental housing estates of the HA or rental estates of the HS are required to return their applications to their respective estate offices. Other applicants may return their applications by mail or in person to the office of the GSH Sales Unit (Address: 1/F, Pioneer Place, 33 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong). The HOS Sales Unit at the HA Customer Service Centre at Lok Fu will not accept GSH applications,” the spokesman said.

     The spokesman reminded members of the public to read the Application Guide before applying. Online applicants should refer to the video on the Guide to Online Application to understand the steps to apply online before filling in the form.

     For information on GSH 2019, please visit the GSH 2019 website (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/gsh/2019). Members of the public may visit the GSH Sales Unit from 8am to 7pm during the application period or call the 24-hour HA Sales Hotline on 2712 8000 for enquiries on matters concerning application for the purchase of GSH flats. read more