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     To align with the announcement by the Government on March 25 to resume public services gradually, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) announced today (April 1) that from April 1 to April 20, the RVD will provide basic public services on a limited scale. Online services will continue to be maintained as normal. From April 4, the opening hours of its enquiry counters will resume to normal as 8.15am to 6pm on Monday to Friday (public holidays excluded). From April 21 onwards, the RVD will resume full public services.

     The department will continue to implement social distancing and infection control measures, and appeals to the public to minimise visiting the enquiry counters in person unless they require services of the department urgently. Members of the public should use the department’s 24-hour electronic services (www.rvd.gov.hk) to submit forms or obtain information as far as possible. They may also contact the department by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2152 0138) or by phone at 2152 0111/2152 2152, and may experience longer processing time as public services are gradually resumed. read more

     The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) announced today (March 31) that the operation service contracts for the Southern District Health Centre (DHC) and Yuen Long DHC have been awarded through open tenders to the Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group (Steering Group) today (March 30) published its preliminary feasibility assessment of carbon market opportunities for Hong Kong (Note 1).
                                                                                                                     
     Based on the assessment, the Steering Group intends to proceed with the following next steps in parallel to support the development of Hong Kong as a regional carbon trading centre:
 

• Develop Hong Kong into a global, high-quality voluntary carbon market (Note 2), leveraging Hong Kong’s status as a champion of international standards, a facilitator to channel global capital into the Mainland, and an international financial centre with a stable and mature regulatory system;
• Collaborate with relevant authorities and stakeholders to work towards establishing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Unified Carbon Market in line with Mainland policies to strengthen GBA cooperation (Note 3);
• Explore opportunities to link up international investors with the GBA Unified Carbon Market and potentially the national emissions trading system (Note 4); and
• Strengthen cooperation with the Guangzhou Futures Exchange on carbon market development to enable Hong Kong to act as the Mainland’s offshore risk management centre.

 
     The Steering Group endorsed the plan set out above which is by no means exhaustive. The Carbon Market Workstream co-chaired by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) will consider which market and regulatory model would be the most appropriate, and will prepare a detailed roadmap, implementation plan and indicative timeline after consulting with market experts and relevant authorities.
      
     The Chief Executive Officer of the SFC, Mr Ashley Alder, said, “The assessment is part of the Steering Group’s commitment to advance the development of green and sustainable finance in Hong Kong. Carbon trading is a key tool to mobilise finance for the transition to a low carbon economy. With appropriate regulatory support, Hong Kong’s close links with the Mainland and significant role in the GBA will allow it to bridge Mainland carbon products and opportunities with the rest of the world.”
 
     The Chief Executive Officer of the HKEX, Mr Nicolas Aguzin, said, “Hong Kong is the regional green and sustainable finance leader and at the HKEX we are proud to play a key role in advancing our collective journey to achieving net zero and the promotion of climate-related financial disclosures. As a gateway facilitating the two-way capital flows between China and the world, Hong Kong is well-placed to support the growing global demand for capital participation in the Mainland’s low-carbon transition. The HKEX is fully committed to the long-term sustainable growth of our markets and community and we look forward to continuing to work with the Steering Group on building a trusted, world-class sustainable finance ecosystem, which includes exploring the development of a voluntary carbon market.”
      
Note 1: The assessment was conducted by the Carbon Market Workstream of the Steering Group. The Carbon Market Workstream is co-chaired by the SFC and the HKEX. Members include the Environment Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

Note 2: In voluntary carbon markets, buyers purchase carbon credits to neutralise or compensate for their carbon dioxide emissions.

Note 3: Mainland China has launched regional carbon market pilots in eight cities and provinces, including Guangdong and Shenzhen. On March 24, 2022, the HKEX signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Emissions Exchange (Guangzhou) to explore the GBA and international carbon opportunities.

Note 4: Emissions trading systems provide a regulated mechanism for market participants to trade allowances, which are permits to emit carbon dioxide. Lowering their emissions reduces the need to purchase allowances.

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About the Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group
 
     Established in May 2020, the Steering Group is co-chaired by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Securities and Futures Commission. Members include the Environment Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the Insurance Authority and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. The Steering Group aims to coordinate the management of climate and environmental risks to the financial sector, accelerate the growth of green and sustainable finance in Hong Kong and support the Government’s climate strategies. read more

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

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

Tender date	:	March 29, 2022
Paper on offer	:	EF Bills
Issue number	:	Q2213
Issue date	:	March 30, 2022
Maturity date	:	June 29, 2022
Amount applied	:	HK$157,110 MN
Amount allotted	:	HK$62,472 MN
Average yield accepted	:	0.21 PCT
Highest yield accepted	:	0.23 PCT
Pro rata ratio*	:	About 31 PCT
Average tender yield	:	0.25 PCT
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Tender date	:	March 29, 2022
Paper on offer	:	EF Bills
Issue number	:	H2242
Issue date	:	March 30, 2022
Maturity date	:	September 28, 2022
Amount applied	:	HK$41,650 MN
Amount allotted	:	HK$15,000 MN
Average yield accepted	:	0.52 PCT
Highest yield accepted	:	0.54 PCT
Pro rata ratio*	:	About 49 PCT
Average tender yield	:	0.57 PCT

 
*”Pro rata ratio” refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant’s tendered amount at the “highest yield accepted” level.
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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning April 7, 2022:
 

Tender date	:	April 4, 2022
Paper on offer	:	EF Bills
Issue number	:	Q2214
Issue date	:	April 6, 2022
Maturity date	:	July 6, 2022
Tenor	:	91 Days
Amount on offer	:	HK$69,463 MN
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Tender date	:	April 4, 2022
Paper on offer	:	EF Bills
Issue number	:	H2243
Issue date	:	April 6, 2022
Maturity date	:	October 5, 2022
Tenor	:	182 Days
Amount on offer	:	HK$17,000 MN

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