BFAC welcomes Government’s continuous efforts to facilitate business compliance

The following is issued on behalf of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee Secretariat:
 
     The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee held its 37th meeting today (June 26). The Environmental Protection Department briefed the Committee on the full implementation of the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
 
     The Committee also noted the work of its three task forces, namely:
 
(a) The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) briefed the Wholesale and Retail Task Force (WRTF) on the voluntary labelling system for genetically modified (GM) food and the proposal on the introduction of pre-market safety assessment on GM food. The WRTF appreciated that the CFS had made efforts to ensure the safety of GM food and would take into consideration the trades' views in finalising the proposal. 

(b) The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) briefed the WRTF on the overview of the performance of the Hong Kong tourism industry in 2017, the outlook for 2018 as well as its work plan for 2018-19. The WRTF welcomed the HKTB's initiatives and efforts in promoting diversified tourism and maintaining visitor satisfaction levels, which would be conducive to boosting spending and sales.  

(c) The Water Supplies Department briefed the Food Business and Related Services Task Force (FRSTF) on the improvement measures to facilitate the timely processing of applications for water supply for catering premises. The FRSTF welcomed the department's efforts to address the trade's concern. 

(d) The Buildings Department and the FEHD were working together on a new measure to facilitate food licence applicants to retain existing signboards. The FRSTF and the Task Force on Business Liaison Groups (BLGTF) appreciated this new business initiative.     

(e) The BLGTF appreciated the efforts made by the FEHD, the Home Affairs Department and the Hong Kong Police Force in streamlining the processing of licence applications for family amusement centres and providing greater flexibility in the deployment of game devices in these centres. 
       
     The Committee also appreciated the continuous efforts and achievements of the bureaux and departments in further enhancing their business licensing services under the "Be the Smart Regulator" Programme.  
 
     Papers for the Committee meeting are available at www.gov.hk/en/business/supportenterprises/bf/advisory/index.htm for public access.