Construction Safety Week (CSW) 2018 will be held from today (May 21) to May 29. Under the theme "Partnering for Safety Enhancement", a series of events will be held which includes the Construction Safety Week Conference, visits to construction sites with an exemplary safety performance, the Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony and Construction Safety Week Carnival.

     The Construction Safety Week launch ceremony and conference were held today. It was the first time that young practitioners of the industry were invited to take part in a panel discussion to exchange views on issues regarding site safety.

     Officiating at the launch ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung, said that all members of the construction team must perform their own duties and make concerted efforts in implementing safety management and measures at the sites in order to ensure work safety. Mr Hon encouraged the project teams of all construction sites in the city to enhance the site safety of the construction industry and create a healthy working environment.

     The Chairman of the Construction Industry Council, Mr Chan Ka-kui, said he hoped that public knowledge and awareness of construction safety could be further enhanced through the carnival, to be held coming Sunday, under the Construction Safety Week.

     First launched in 2012, Construction Safety Week aims to promote a zero-accident site environment and a caring environment in the construction industry. The campaign has received tremendous support from various sectors of the community including from various professional groups, organisations, trade associations and labour unions. Details of Construction Safety Week are available at www.safetyweek.hk.

    

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, May 21, 2018 is 99.7 (up 0.2 against last Saturday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, May 19, 2018 was 99.5 (up 0.1 against last Friday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Financial Services Development Council:

     The Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) today (May 21) released a research report entitled the "Maritime Leasing Working Paper". The report sets out key recommendations for developing a significant maritime financing and leasing industry in Hong Kong.
 
     The Chairman of the FSDC, Mrs Laura M Cha, said, "The maritime industry has been traditionally one of the pillar industries of Hong Kong but has shrunk in size over the last decade. As an international financial centre, Hong Kong is in a uniquely advantageous position to drive shipping-related financial services. Hong Kong needs to further develop its maritime cluster in view of the fierce competition from global maritime centres. Hong Kong must maintain and enhance its competitive advantages of the maritime cluster for the sustainable growth of the shipping industry."
 
     The report sets out the current issues challenging Hong Kong's shipping industry in terms of the ship register, labour, government policies, tax and finance, noting that Hong Kong is facing keen competition from major Asian competitors in building its maritime cluster. The report recommends various measures for developing the maritime cluster in Hong Kong, including: (i) tax concessions for maritime and ship leasing management and maritime and shipping-related supporting service activities; (ii) allowing qualified investors to access credit and liquidity enhancement products supported and/or endorsed by sovereign-rated financial institutions; (iii) full consultation with the industry on implementation of a tax review package; (iv) encouraging the growth of shipping and maritime-related support and management services; (v) talent development in the maritime cluster; (vi) further double tax agreements with major shipping jurisdictions; (vii) increased participation in international industry bodies by Hong Kong-based organisations; and (viii) upgrading the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board or creating a centralised Maritime Office.
 
     The full version of the report can be downloaded from the FSDC website: www.fsdc.org.hk.
 
About the FSDC
 
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established the FSDC in 2013 as a high-level, cross-sectoral advisory body to engage the industry in formulating proposals to promote the further development of Hong Kong’s financial services industry and to map out the strategic direction for development.
 
     The FSDC set up five committees, namely the Policy Research Committee, the Mainland Opportunities Committee, the New Business Committee, the Market Development Committee and the Human Capital Committee, as the five streams of its work.

     A sick 31-year-old male remand person in custody at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre died in a public hospital today (May 21).
 
     The remand person in custody suffered from diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia. He required continuous medical care and follow-up at the institution hospital and public hospitals. On May 20, he was sent to a public hospital for treatment due to suspected sepsis. During hospitalisation, his condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 4.58am today.
 
     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner's Court.
 
     The remand person in custody was ordered by the Court to be remanded under the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance in February 2018.

Police today (May 21) appealed to the public for information on a girl who went missing in Kwun Tong.

Fung Lok-yee, aged 14, went missing after she left her residence in Yau Lai Estate on April 22 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on April 27.

She is about 1.61 metres tall, 42 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a pointed face with yellow complexion and long black straight hair. She was last seen wearing a white floral print T-shirt.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing girl or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316, or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.