Tag Archives: China

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 9) detected a case involving a local company that conducted a jewellery transaction with a total value exceeding HK$120,000 without being registered under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. The sole director of the company was arrested.
      
     The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.  
      
     According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), the Regime came into effect on April 1, 2023. Any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones in Hong Kong and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with the Commissioner of Customs and Excise. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months.
      
     Hong Kong Customs reminds all dealers in precious metals and stones that the transitional period for registration under the Regime has ended. Any dealer who submits their applications for registration from January 1, 2024, onwards must successfully obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.
      
     For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Hong Kong Customs’ webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002). read more

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (July 10).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 10) the results of the Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for June 2024.
 
     The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs decreased from 43.0 in May 2024 in the contractionary zone to 41.4 in June 2024, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. July 2024) outlook DI on business receipts was 46.5. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts for majority of the surveyed sectors dropped in June 2024 as compared with previous month, particularly for the restaurants (from 39.1 to 33.3) and retail trade (from 42.9 to 39.9).
       
     The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades decreased from 45.2 in May 2024 to 44.1 in June 2024, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. July 2024) was 48.7.
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that overall business sentiment among SMEs softened further in June. The overall expectations on the business situation in one month’s time also turned slightly weaker, but some sectors expected relative improvement. The overall employment situation remained generally stable.
 
     The spokesman added that while geopolitical tensions and changes in the consumption patterns of visitors and residents will affect business sentiment in the near term, the Central Government’s various measures that benefit Hong Kong and continued growth of the local economy should provide support.  The Government will monitor the situation closely.
 
Further information
 
     The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to establishments with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent establishments in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD.
 
     The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own establishments rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.
 
     More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300).
 
     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hk). read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Edmund Wong and a reply by the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 10):
 
Question:
 
     A survey conducted by an association of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reportedly found a decline in turnover compared to pre-pandemic levels among nearly 70 per cent of SMEs. In addition, the value of total retail sales in April this year, provisionally estimated at $29.6 billion, decreased by 14.7 per cent compared with the same month last year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) whether it has examined if the business situation of those SMEs in the retail sector (including supermarkets), catering industry, etc, operating in non-tourist districts has become increasingly difficult in the recent six months as impacted by the craze for going north for spending among members of the public; if it has, of the details; if not, whether it has plans to conduct a comprehensive survey;
 
(2) given that according to a survey, more than 70 per cent of the employers interviewed indicated that they would opt for business upgrading and transformation in order to cope with operating difficulties, whether the Government has, on top of the assistance it currently provides (e.g. the Technology Voucher Programme and the BUD Fund), plans to help SMEs with their business upgrading and transformation through more targeted measures; and
 
(3) given that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, together with the Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism, announced in March this year the introduction of nine measures to assist SMEs in obtaining financing from banks, whether the authorities will further request banks to adopt a more lenient approach in making credit limit adjustments for the retail sector, so as to help SMEs in the retail sector tide over the difficulties; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The data of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) show that after recording an increase in the value of total retail sales in January and February 2024 as compared with the same period last year, a decrease occurred from March to May. The Government has been closely monitoring the economic situation, and implements measures to assist the industries having regard to the situation.
 
     Having consulted the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Office of the Government Economist, the C&SD and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the reply to the three parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) The Government compiles statistics or conducts surveys on different economic sectors (including the amount of retail sales), but does not compile statistics with breakdown by districts.
 
     Hong Kong has been getting increasingly integrated into the Mainland in various aspects. As various large-scale infrastructure were completed, the cross-boundary transportation capacity has been greatly strengthened, facilitating the two-way flow of people between the Mainland and Hong Kong and promoting the retail industry of both places at the same time. Under the “one-hour living circle” within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong residents spending in the Mainland or Mainland residents spending in Hong Kong are economic activities that happen naturally.
 
     In the first five months this year, the value of total retail sales was on average around $32.3 billion per month, decreased by 6.1 per cent as compared with the same period in 2023. In addition, for the total restaurant receipts, the monthly average in the first quarter of 2024 was around $9.4 billion, increased by 2.3 per cent as compared with the same period in 2023. The performance of both retail and catering industries is subject to change having regard to the consumption patterns of visitors and residents as well as the strength of the Hong Kong dollar. Nevertheless, the new measures benefitting Hong Kong as announced recently by the country, including extending the scope of the Individual Visit Scheme to 59 cities and increasing the duty-free allowance for luggage articles brought into the Mainland from Hong Kong by visitors who are Mainland residents to RMB12,000 should help attract the spending of Mainland visitors, thereby boosting the local retail and catering industries. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s continued efforts in promoting mega event economy and pursuing the concept of “Tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong” will also bring support to the retail and catering industries. The rise in employment earnings, coupled with the recent stabilisation of asset markets, is also beneficial to these two industries.
 
(2) Throughout the years, the Government has been assisting Hong Kong enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in upgrading, restructuring and enhancing competitiveness through funding schemes. Among others, the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) provides funding support to non-listed Hong Kong enterprises to develop business in 39 economies with which Hong Kong has signed Free Trade Agreements and/or Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements. Besides, the Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund (TSF) provides funding support to organisations such as trade and industrial organisations and professional bodies to implement projects which aim at enhancing competitiveness, including assisting enterprises in upgrading and restructuring. As at end June 2024, around 8 400 applications have been approved under the BUD Fund, involving a total funding amount of over $5.1 billion. Around 50 per cent of these applications involve projects related to upgrading and restructuring. For the TSF, over 500 applications have been approved, involving a total funding amount of around $880 million.
 
     Furthermore, the Government established “SME ReachOut” in 2020 to help SMEs identify suitable government funding schemes. “SME ReachOut” has enhanced its services starting from October 2023, to provide more one-on-one consultation sessions and to focus on areas such as “environmental, social and governance”, technology transformation, digitalisation and cyber security, with a view to assisting SMEs in enhancing their competitiveness through leveraging new technologies. As at end June 2024, “SME ReachOut” has handled over 24 200 enquiries, and has organised or participated in 10 exhibitions and over 50 seminars or webinars, as well as conducted over 240 promotional activities.
 
     In order to assist enterprises/organisations in using technologies to improve productivity, or upgrade and transform their business processes, the Innovation and Technology Commission administers the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) to subsidise local enterprises/organisations in using technological services and solutions. The TVP provides subsidies for projects on a 3 (Government):1 (enterprise/organisation) matching basis. For each enterprise/organisation, the cumulative funding ceiling is $600,000 and the maximum number of projects to be approved is six.
 
     In addition, the Government has allocated funding to launch the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme, under which subsidies will be provided on a one-to-one matching basis to assist SMEs in retail and food and beverage industries in applying e-payment and other ready-to-use basic digital solutions, so as to expedite their digital transformation.
 
(3) The HKMA has been encouraging the banking sector to support SME customers under prudent risk-management principles, including streaming the procedures for loan application and providing more diversified loan products. It has also introduced the nine SME support measures jointly with the Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism in March this year to support the financing needs of SMEs and increase their bargaining power. In the first two months following the announcement of the support measures, around 7 000 SMEs have benefitted, involving an aggregate credit limit of over $15 billion, including:
 
(i) providing credit reliefs (including principal moratorium and partial principal repayment) to over 2 000 SMEs, involving an aggregate amount of $8.2 billion;
 
(ii) approving about 1 700 credit applications from SMEs, providing $7.3 billion of funds for their cash flow and business expansion; and
 
(iii) continuing to provide fee waivers and concessions to over 3 000 SMEs to ease their expenditure, including concessions on credit application fees, commitment fees and interest.
 
     The HKMA, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the Chinese Banking Association of Hong Kong co-organised a seminar on the banking sector’s support measures for SMEs on June 24, bringing together more than 200 representatives from the banking sector, trade associations and chambers and SME operators, who have actively exchanged views on the banking sector’s support measures as well as diverse services for SMEs. The discussions covered topics including how banks leverage financial technology to help SMEs obtain bank financing in an easier and faster manner, and how banks support the business transformation of SMEs.
 
     The HKMA will continue to maintain close communication and exchange with the banking and commercial and industrial sectors to support the continuous development of SMEs in an inclusive manner and under proper management of credit risks. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Judy Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (July 10):

Question:

     There are views that in order to implement the concept of “tourism is everywhere”, Hong Kong should support fixed-pitch and itinerant hawker stalls selling food with local characteristics, and enhance the culinary experience of countryside visitors. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of fixed-pitch cooked food hawker stalls located (i) on-‍street (i.e. stalls commonly known as “Dai Pai Dongs”), (ii) in cooked food hawker bazaars, and (iii) in public housing estates (i.e. ‍stalls inside what is commonly known as a “cooked food kiosk”) in each of the past three years, with a breakdown by the 18 districts across the territory;

(2) of the number of itinerant hawker licences allowed to sell food (including but not limited to roast chestnuts, baked sweet potatoes, fruits and baked eggs) in each of the past three years, with a breakdown by type of commodity;

(3) of the number of applications for succession or transfer of “Dai Pai Dong” licences approved in each of the past three years, with a breakdown by the relationship between the successor or transferee of a licence and the original licensee;

(4) whether new “Dai Pai Dong” licences were issued on a trial basis or in other forms in the past three years; if so, of the annual number of licences issued; if not, the reasons for that;

(5) whether the Housing Department carried out renovation or refurbishment works for cooked food kiosks in public housing estates under its management in the past three years; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(6) of the number of vacant fixed hawker pitches allocated to itinerant hawker licensees selling food in the annual reassignment of such pitches by the Government in each of the past three years;
 
(7) given that at the meeting of the Subcommittee on Hawker Policy under the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of this Council on April 14, 2015, the authorities indicated that they would consider converting, on a pilot basis, an existing public market with a low occupancy rate into an off-street cooked food centre, which would provide operating space for individual cooked food vendors to provide traditional “Dai Pai Dong” type of cooked meals, traditional snacks or other forms of light refreshments, of the current progress of such work;
 
(8) whether the Hong Kong Tourism Board has currently promoted local delicacies of Hong Kong served up by “Dai Pai Dongs”, cooked food kiosks, among others, to visitors and international media; if so, of the details;
 
(9) whether the authorities have reviewed the hawker policy in recent years; if so, of the details and the improvement measures implemented following the review; and
 
(10) as there are views that the current provision of only refreshment kiosks at country parks has failed to cater for the increasing number of countryside visitors, whether the authorities have considered setting up restaurants and allowing fixed-pitch and itinerant hawker stalls to sell speciality food at convenient locations near the entrances and exits of country trails; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,

     The society has different views and expectations regarding hawkers and their hawking activities. The Government is committed to balancing the needs and views of various parties so that licensed hawkers (including those selling food) can operate according to market demand while ensuring food safety, environmental hygiene and public safety, and avoid causing nuisance to local residents, etc. Having consulted the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Housing Bureau, our reply to the Hon Judy Chan’s question is as follows:

(1) The number of hawker licences for on-street fixed pitches, cooked food hawker bazaars and cooked food kiosks in public housing estates in the past three years (2021 to 2023), with a breakdown by the 18 districts in the territory, is provided at Annex I.

(2) The number of itinerant hawker licences allowed to sell food in each of the past three years (2021 to 2023), with a breakdown by the type of commodities allowed for sale, is provided at Annex II.

(3) In the past three years (2021 to 2023), two applications for succession/transfer of “Dai Pai Dong” licence, involving a pair of mother-son and father-son respectively, were supported by the relevant District Councils. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has approved the relevant applications in 2021 and 2023.

(4) There are different views on “Dai Pai Dong” in the society. Some are of the view that they cause nuisance to residents of the areas, while some consider that “Dai Pai Dong” pose unfair competition to the neighbouring restaurants. The mode of operation of “Dai Pai Dong” would inevitably cause a certain degree of street obstruction and environmental hygiene problems, thus it is very challenging to identify suitable sites, such as a location where it would not cause nuisance to residents, have sufficient or stable patronage to support business operation, and would not cause vicious competition to the neighbouring restaurants. For those “Dai Pai Dong” which are currently operating well, the Government will work with relevant organisations to explore suitable ways to promote them, with a view to preserving and promoting the unique “Dai Pai Dong” culture in Hong Kong. As for new “Dai Pai Dong”, the FEHD has not issued any new “Dai Pai Dong” licence in the past three years. If there are any suitable proposed sites which are supported by the relevant District Councils, the FEHD will give consideration with an open mind.

(5) The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) reviews the usage of its existing retail facilities from time to time. With due regard to the actual conditions of individual estates and retail facilities, such as building age, condition and design of the facilities, age distribution of the population and the surrounding environment, and also taking into account a number of relevant factors, including community needs, views of the stakeholders, technical and financial viability, and the impact on the existing shop tenants, the HA will consider optimising its retail facilities with a view to enhancing their business potential and shopping ambience. All along, the HA has been closely monitoring the condition of facilities in cooked food stalls and carried out repair/refurbishment/improvement works in due course. In the past three years (2021 to 2023), apart from basic refurbishment works, the HA has carried out improvement works of different scales for some cooked food stalls on a need basis. For example, the HA has carried out conversion works for the cooked food stalls in Nam Shan Estate by re-demarcating the stall areas to better meet the residents’ needs. At present, fire improvement works including replacement of sprinkler systems, reconstruction of existing walls, are also being carried out at cooked food stalls in Pok Hong Estate, Fu Shan Estate and Shek Kip Mei Estate.

(6) The Government opened for application a total of 540 vacant fixed pitches in 2019 and 2022, including 108 licence quotas reserved for licensed itinerant hawkers. Eventually, four licensed itinerant hawkers who had been authorised to sell food submitted applications and participated in pitches selection. All of them were subsequently allocated pitches.

(7) The Subcommittee on Hawker Policy under the Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Committee did not reach a consensus on the proposal to convert existing public markets with low occupancy rate into off-street cooked food centres for operation by cooked food vendor to provide “Dai Pai Dong”-style cooked food or light refreshment. Currently, after the closure or consolidation of markets with low occupancy rates, the FEHD will allocate the freed-up space for other purposes to benefit the public.

     On the other hand, there are currently a total of 41 cooked food centres, cooked food markets and cooked food hawker bazaars across the districts, including the popular Haiphong Road Temporary Cooked Food Hawker Bazaar and Woosung Street Temporary Cooked Food Hawker Bazaar, as well as other private catering establishments, providing an array of choices for the public. If any “Dai Pai Dong” need to be relocated due to development/works projects, the FEHD will also offer the option of relocating to the cooked food hawker bazaar for the stall operators.
 
(8) Hong Kong has been well-known for being a food paradise. Other than Michelin-starred restaurants, its distinctive local delicacies are well-liked by visitors from around the world. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has been promoting the city’s culinary experiences through various channels to attract global travellers to come and enjoy food in Hong Kong. Relevant promotion work of the HKTB includes: working in partnership with renowned media outlets from the Mainland and overseas to produce thematic programmes on Hong Kong’s culinary culture and visits to “Dai Pai Dong” in different districts to deepen source markets’ understanding of Hong Kong’s food culture. For instance, the MasterChef Australia recently filmed in Hong Kong with the support of the HKTB for programme content with themes of local Hong Kong street food and Michelin experiences; the HKTB invited celebrities such as Malaysian actress Minchen Lin and Hollywood actor Henry Golding to visit “Dai Pai Dong” in Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei, and Central, and introduced local delicacies in short videos; the HKTB has a dedicated page on its website DiscoverHongKong.com, setting out recommendations for “Dai Pai Dong” experiences including “Dai Pai Dong” and “Dong Ku Ting”; the HKTB highlights various food stalls in its “Hong Kong Neighbourhoods” promotions, including “Dai Pai Dong” in Central, Temple Street Night Market and Woosung Street Temporary Cooked Food Hawker Bazaar.
 
(9) The Government reviews the various arrangements regarding hawkers from time to time and will introduce measures or make adjustments as necessary to meet the needs of the society. For example, the FEHD opened vacant fixed hawker pitches for reallocation in 2019 and 2022 respectively, and 523 new hawker licences have been issued so far. In response to the trade’s suggestion, the FEHD have also increased the types of commodities that can be sold under fixed-pitch hawker licences at Kwun Tong Yue Man Hawker Bazaar and Temple Street in 2022 and 2023 respectively, so as to facilitate the sale of pre-packaged food and beverages and/or dry goods by the licensees.

(10) The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) sets up cafeteria, refreshment kiosks and vending machines at suitable locations in country parks to provide snacks and beverage to visitors, according to their actual demands and site considerations. Most of the places within country parks lack infrastructure such as water supply, electricity, and proper sewage facilities, making it challenging to offer more comprehensive catering facilities. Currently, there are seven refreshment kiosks and 35 beverage vending machines in country parks, as well as a cafeteria operated by a non-profit organisation at the Lions Nature Education Centre in Sai Kung. If any hawker licence holder would like to conduct hawking activities within a country park, the person can apply for a permit from the AFCD under the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations (Cap. 208A). The AFCD will consider applications and grant approval taking into account actual circumstances, including environmental hygiene issues or adverse impacts on the environment. If the entrances and exits of country trails fall outside of country park areas, licensed itinerant hawkers can currently conduct hawking activities in the corresponding areas as marked on their licenses. read more