The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 is 105.4 (up 0.3 against last Friday's index).

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender of one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes (issue number 01GH2502) under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme was held today (February 14).
      
     A total of HK$1.5 billion one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes were allocated today. A total of HK$3.450 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of notes applied for to notes issued, is 2.30. The highest spread accepted is 0.28 per cent. 

HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme Government Bond tender results
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     Tender results of one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme:
 

 
* Calculated as the amount of notes applied for over the amount of notes issued.

     â€‹â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (February 14) released the test results of a targeted food surveillance project on the use of sulphur dioxide in meat. Among 550 samples tested, except for five samples found to contain sulphur dioxide (a non-permitted preservative in fresh meat) which have been announced, all the remaining samples passed the test. The overall satisfactory rate was 99 per cent.
 
     "In view of the detection of the preservative in fresh meat samples in the past, the CFS has all along been conducting targeted surveillance projects regularly on the use of such a chemical in meat in recent years. Samples of beef, pork and mutton were collected according to a risk-based approach from fresh provision shops, supermarkets, market meat stalls and online retailers for testing." a spokesman for the CFS said.
 
     Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products such as sausages and grilled burgers. Under the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD), it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Nonetheless, individual meat traders were found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water-soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to sulphur dioxide may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.
 
     Under the Regulation, the maximum penalty upon conviction of using sulphur dioxide in fresh or chilled meat is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
 
     The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat containing sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should patronise reliable vendors and avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red.

  

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 14) that in view of a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan, and notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in IÅ‚awski District of WarmiÅ„sko-Mazurskie Region and Brzeski District of Opolskie Region in Poland, and Gage County of the State of Nebraska in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 1 990 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 281.33 million poultry eggs from Japan, about 3 110 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland, and about 37 770 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 83.84 million poultry eggs from the US last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Japanese, Polish and American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 14) reminded the public that two auctions of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held this Saturday (February 17) and Sunday (February 18) in Meeting Room N101, L1, New Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     A total of 350 vehicle registration marks will be put up for public sale at each auction. The lists of marks have been uploaded to the department's website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $1,000 to reserve a mark for auction should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price of $1,000). Otherwise, the mark concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction are reminded to take note of the following important points:

(1) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.

(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.

(3) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(4) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.

(5) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for reallocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
       
     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Traditional Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department's website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html.