The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 17) released a list of completed and newly commenced statutory environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and non-statutory environmental studies for major development projects between January 1 and March 31, 2018.

     Updated information related to the EIA Ordinance is available on the EIA Ordinance website at www.epd.gov.hk/eia.

     Completed statutory EIAs and non-statutory environmental studies in the first quarter of 2018 include:

A. Statutory EIAs: 
    Nil

B. Non-statutory Environmental Studies:
    Nil

     Newly commenced statutory EIAs and non-statutory environmental studies include:

A. Statutory EIAs: 

1. Yuen Long Barrage Scheme (EIA Study Brief no.ESB-307/2018)
(Drainage Services Department)

2. Pier Improvement at Tung Ping Chau (EIA Study Brief no.ESB-306/2017)
(Civil Engineering and Development Department)

3. Pier Improvement at Lai Chi Wo (EIA Study Brief no.ESB-305/2017)
(Civil Engineering and Development Department)

B. Non-statutory Environmental Studies:
    Nil

     The Home Affairs Department appeals to registered electors of the Kat Hing Street Resident Representative Election to exercise their right to vote in the Rural By-election to be held this Sunday (May 20).

     Seven Rural Representative vacancies are open in the by-election and seven valid nominations were received during the nomination period. There are two candidates running for a Resident Representative post of Kat Hing Street of the Tai O Rural Committee. Polling will be held for the village.

     Five candidates were returned uncontested to be the Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives of Pui O Lo Uk Tsuen and San Tin and Resident Representatives of Au Ha, Tsung Pak Long and Tung Lo Wan.
 
     No valid nomination was received for the Resident Representative vacancy of Main Street (East).

     The list of valid nominations is as follows:
 

 
     Polling will be held from noon to 7pm on May 20. Electors are required to bring the original of their identity documents to the designated polling station as specified in the polling notice. 

     There will be arrangements to enable remanded persons and detainees who are registered electors of the villages to cast their votes in the by-election. 

     Arrangements will be made for electors who are remanded or detained by law enforcement agencies (other than the Correctional Services Department) to cast their votes at the dedicated polling station located on G/F, Mei Tin Community Hall, 9 Mei Mun Lane, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, New Territories. The polling hours are from noon to 7pm.

     If necessary, reserved dedicated polling stations will also be set up in the 21 penal institutions for electors under the custody of the Correctional Services Department to cast their votes from 1pm to 4pm. 

     For further information, please visit the Rural Representative Election website, www.had.gov.hk/rre, or call 2152 1521.

    US law firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP officially launched its regional office in Hong Kong today (May 17), tapping into the growing demand for cross-border legal services by multinational companies in Hong Kong as well as in the Asia-Pacific region.
     
     Seyfarth Shaw provides thoughtful, strategic and practical legal counsel to its client companies and legal teams of all sizes. The Hong Kong office will work across local rules and practices to assist clients in key areas, including employment, corporate and commercial, according to Partner and Chair of Seyfarth Shaw LLP's International Practice Mr Darren G Gardner.
     
     He said, "Prompted by the continued rise of Asia as one of the world's key economic zones, together with Seyfarth's strong base of work and demand by large multinationals in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region more broadly, the firm established its on-the-ground presence in Hong Kong."
     
     He added, "Hong Kong serves as our regional hub to service clients' growing cross-border specialist employment and corporate and commercial needs on a pan-Asian basis as well as locally in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong office will assist the firm in continuing to scale its International Employment Law and International Corporate and Commercial Law practice in the region."
     
     Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang said, "Hong Kong as an international business hub is strategically located at the heart of Asia. Together with its independent judiciary and solid and transparent regulatory framework, it is the ideal place for Seyfarth Shaw to set up its presence in the city, serving its clients both locally and regionally."
     
About Seyfarth Shaw LLP
 
     Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Seyfarth Shaw has more than 850 attorneys in 15 offices providing a broad range of legal services in the areas of labour and employment, employee benefits, litigation, corporate and real estate. Seyfarth’s clients include over 300 of the Fortune 500 companies and reflect virtually every industry and segment of the economy. For more information, please visit www.seyfarth.com.
     
About Invest Hong Kong
 
     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
     
     For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157691103481560.

  

     Members of the public are invited to visit an exhibition on the Employment Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance organised by the Labour Department in Tung Chung on May 19 and 20.

     The exhibition will feature the main provisions of the Employment Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance as well as good human resource management measures, employment rights and the benefits of foreign domestic helpers. Related publications and souvenirs will be distributed and promotional videos will be shown.

     The exhibition will be held at Sales Venue A, G/F, Yat Tung Shopping Centre, 8 Yat Tung Street, Tung Chung from 11am to 6pm. Admission is free.

     Global market research company Euromonitor International officially opened its Hong Kong office today (May 17) with the aim of capturing new business opportunities, including those arising from the Belt and Road Initiative.

     Euromonitor International provides in-depth market research, analysis and consulting across 100 countries. The Hong Kong office is the company's 14th office worldwide and will manage business in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, including a focus on new services that are related to financial technology, digital and e-commerce sectors, according to the General Manager in Hong Kong, Mr Agilson Valle.

     "We see a lot of growth potential coming from the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as significant infrastructure investment gaining momentum in Hong Kong. The city has always been and will continue to stay strong in logistics, construction and real estate, and will always be the financial centre and service hub for the Asia region. We are confident in the vast development in the Asian continent where abundant opportunities can be found, and we want to be part of it.

     "The expansion not only addresses the growing demand in serving long-term customers, but also strengthens Euromonitor International's research in Hong Kong with analysts on the ground. Our new office demonstrates our commitment to growing in Asia as well as our desire to support customers locally," said Mr Valle.

     The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang, said, "With the Central Government's Belt and Road Initiative there are tremendous opportunities for business and professional services including legal, accounting, human resources, consultancy, education and training and more. We are happy to see Euromonitor International seizes the opportunities and makes use of Hong Kong to expand its business in the region."

About Euromonitor International

     Euromonitor International is the one of the world's leading providers of global business intelligence and strategic market analysis. It has more than 40 years of experience publishing international market reports, business reference books and online databases on consumer markets. For more information, please visit www.euromonitor.com.

About Invest Hong Kong

     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

     For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157669030837228.