â€‹The technological development of electric vehicles is rapid. To focus the New Energy Transport Fund (the Fund) on subsidising trials on new energy technologies that are more suited or better placed in meeting the needs of the transport sector, thereby expediting their green transformation, the Environment and Ecology Bureau has timely reviewed the subsidy framework, approach and levels under "Applications for Trial" of the Fund. The Steering Committee of the Fund has supported the use of a revised subsidy arrangement with the adoption of a merit-based approach in assessing all applications that are being processed.
      
      The revised subsidy arrangement shall enable the Government to make the best use of the Fund for promoting the green transformation of the transport sector. For details of the revision, please visit the website of the Fund (www.eeb.gov.hk/en/new-energy-transport-fund.html) or call the enquiry hotline on 2824 0022.
      
     The Government has put in place the Fund since March 2011 to subsidise the testing and encourage wider use of green innovative transport technologies for a variety of commercial transport tools including goods vehicles (including special purpose vehicles), taxis, light buses, buses, vessels, motorcycles, non-road vehicles, or the aforesaid transport tools of charitable/non-profit making organisations providing services to their clients. The technologies to be subsidised include new energy vehicles or vessels, conversion of in-use conventional vehicles or vessels to new energy vehicles or vessels, and after-treatment emission reduction devices or fuel saving devices applicable to vehicles or vessels. Transport operators and charitable/non-profit making organisations may apply for trying out different green technology products subject to a maximum subsidy of $10 million for each application and a total subsidy of $12 million for each applicant. The Fund completed its review in September 2020 to expand the subsidy scope and refine the subsidy level and ceiling.
      
     As of March 2024, the Fund has approved 319 trials involving a total subsidy of $272 million. A total of 180 approved trials under the Fund have been completed. Trial reports have been uploaded to the Fund's website.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, April 29, 2024 is 106.3 (down 0.1 against last Saturday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, April 27, 2024 was 106.4 (up 0.2 against last Friday's index).

     The Hong Kong Energy Statistics 2023 Annual Report is published by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (April 29).

     The report describes the situation of energy supply and demand in Hong Kong. It contains comprehensive statistical information relating to different forms of energy, including oil products, coal products, electricity, and gas. It also includes an overall energy balance which summarises the origins and uses of different forms of energy, and depicts their relationship in the energy transformation processes.

     Major statistics presented in the report include:
(i) imports and unit values of imports as well as other relevant statistics (storage capacity, tank stock, and quantity of sales by type of users) for oil products;
(ii) imports and unit values of imports for coal products; and
(iii) generating capacity, production, and local consumption by type of users for electricity and gas.

     Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1100002&scode=90).

     Enquiries about the contents of the report can be directed to the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: energy@censtatd.gov.hk).

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (April 29) that with the gradual scaling up of air freight capacity and provision of transit assistance by other postal administrations, postal services of the following destinations will resume from April 30. Details are given below:
 

 
     Additional conveyance time may be required for mail items destined for Namibia as mail items to this destination have to be transited via other postal administrations.
 
     Members of the public may visit the webpage of Hongkong Post at www.hongkongpost.hk/en/about_us/whats_new/notices/index_id_1406.html on the service availability for various destinations.

     Mobile Libraries 2, 5 and 6 will suspend services during designated periods in May and June for routine maintenance, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 29).

     Mobile Library 5 will suspend services from May 6 to 18. The affected service points are Ta Kwu Ling in North District; Hin Keng Estate, Kam Ying Court, Mei Tin Estate, Yan On Estate and Yiu On Estate in Sha Tin; Ming Tak Estate, Yee Ming Estate and Mang Kung Uk Road in Sai Kung; and Tai Wo Estate, Nai Chung, On Ho Lane, Fu Shin Estate and Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po. For enquiries about Mobile Library 5 services, please call 2696 5842.

     Mobile Library 2 will suspend services from May 20 to June 1. The affected service points are Tsui Ping Estate and On Tat Estate in Kwun Tong; Fortune Estate and Maple Street in Sham Shui Po; Sheung Tak Estate, Hau Tak Estate and Po Lam Estate in Tseung Kwan O; and Chevalier Garden, Pok Hong Estate, Lee On Estate, Mei Lam Estate and Saddle Ridge Garden in Sha Tin. For enquiries about Mobile Library 2 services, please call 2605 1071.

     Mobile Library 6 will suspend services from May 27 to June 1. The affected service points are Shau Kei Wan Market on Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Lei Tung Estate and Ap Lei Chau Estate in Ap Lei Chau, the First Aid Station at Shek O Beach and Tsui Lam Estate in Tseung Kwan O. For enquiries about Mobile Library 6 services, please call 2505 4690.

     Readers are welcome to use other public libraries during the service suspension periods. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hk.