The Government today (December 1) announced that the Chief Executive has, pursuant to section 4 of the Urban Renewal Authority Ordinance, re-appointed/appointed five non-executive directors of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) … read more
Correctional officers at Tai Lam Centre for Women today (November 30) intercepted a female remand person in custody smuggling a suspected dangerous drug into the centre by concealing it inside her body. &nbs… read more
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about the recent spate of fatal and serious work accidents in the construction industry. The LD has stepped up measures in terms of inspection and enforcement, publicity and p… read more
A spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said today (November 30) that in view of the numbers of serious incidents occurred in the construction industry in recent months, the heads of works departments took lead to carry out surprise inspections on different public works sites in the past week, targeting high-risk work activities, in particular lifting operation and work at height to curb unsafe practices.
The spokesman said, “Warnings were immediately issued to the contractor when risks of unsafe practices were found in the inspection. Rectifications had to be made before the relevant work activities could continue. In addition, the site safety performance of the contractor would be duly reflected in the contractor’s quarterly performance report. Unsatisfactory site safety performance would have implications on the contractor’s opportunity of undertaking public works contracts in the future.”
Besides, works departments and their resident site staff will continue to closely supervise site safety of public works. Any inappropriate conditions unearthed will be taken seriously. In addition, the DEVB will continue to impose appropriate regulating actions against contractors involved in serious incidents according to the contractor regulating regime.
The spokesman said that enhancing safety awareness of the project teams and site staff is also very important to reduce the occurrence of serious incidents. To this end, the DEVB and the works departments held on November 17 a seminar about the recent serious incidents to identify the causes, to reiterate strict enforcement of safety measures and to enhance the safety training of relevant personnel. To raise front-line site personnel’s alertness to site safety matters, the DEVB has also requested project teams of works departments to participate regularly in safety morning assemblies at sites, conveying the Government’s concerns over site safety directly to the front-line site personnel and sharing with them safety information.
The spokesman stressed that the DEVB attaches great importance to site safety and will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach and timely refine the site safety management system of public works to enhance site safety. The spokesman appealed to the industry to actively support the enhancement of site safety culture. Every stakeholder in the construction industry has a responsibility. They should perform their own duties and work together for achieving the target of carrying out work activities safely.
The AEO Expert Mission and Symposium for ASEAN and Hong Kong, China, the first large-scale event focused on the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) matters held between ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Hong Kong, China since the launch of the Hong Kong AEO Programme by the Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong (C&ED) in 2012, successfully concluded today (November 30).
The AEO Symposium for ASEAN and Hong Kong, China was held today as the highlight of the event. Around 200 representatives from ASEAN Member States, Customs administrations of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, government officials, the business sector, trade associations, took part in the Symposium today to foster discussions and exchange insights with stakeholders in trade facilitation and business development in the ASEAN region and Mainland China.
The Symposium today started off with an opening ceremony officiated by the Principal Guests of Honour, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; the Head of Trade Facilitation Division of ASEAN Secretariat, Mr Cuong Ba Tran; the Director General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Man-chong; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Enterprise Management and Audit-based Control of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), Mr Zhu Fang and representatives of ASEAN Member States.
During the Symposium, the C&ED concluded the Action Plans for AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with Customs administrations of Cambodia and the Philippines. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhancing AEO Co-operation in the Greater Bay Area among Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Customs was also signed by representatives from the GACC, the C&ED and Macao Customs Service, witnessed by Mr Yau, Ms Ho and Mr Vong.
The Symposium continued with the presentation of Hong Kong AEO Partnership Awards to Hong Kong AEOs in recognition of their excellent performance on promoting the Hong Kong AEO Programme.
It was followed by panel sessions in which representatives from the Government and business sectors fostered discussions on the opportunities and challenges of extending business in the markets of ASEAN and Mainland China.
The two-day AEO Expert Mission and Symposium has yielded fruitful results. First, the C&ED has successfully concluded the Action Plans for MRA with the Customs administrations of Cambodia and the Philippines, marking a significant step towards the conclusion of MRAs in a near future. Second, consensus has been reached that Customs administrations of ASEAN Member States and Hong Kong, China share a common vision to safeguard security and safety in the supply chain. They will further enhance co-operation on matters regarding AEO programmes and pressing ahead with the MRA. Third, the signing of the MoU on Enhancing AEO Co-operation in the Greater Bay Area among Mainland Customs, Hong Kong Customs and Macao Customs will further strengthen the co-operation of the three administrations in implementing the AEO Programme in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and thereby bringing more benefits to the AEOs and fostering further development in the region.
The Hong Kong AEO Programme was launched in 2012. Currently, the C&ED has ratified MRAs with 14 Customs administrations of the Mainland, India, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia and Macao, China. Under the MRA, AEOs from the signatory countries or regions can enjoy reciprocal trade facilitations including reduced inspection rate and prioritised clearance.
