Implementing employee-oriented family-friendly employment practices can help relieve employees from work stress and the pressure of taking care of their families. With their minds at ease, employees can be more devoted to their work with enhanced work performance and productivity, which in turn will boost the enterprises’ competitiveness, achieving a win-win situation for both sides. Creating a family-friendly workplace not only helps build up a positive image for enterprises, boost staff morale and enhance employees’ sense of belonging, but also facilitates enterprises create an edge in attracting and retaining talents and reducing recruitment and training costs.

For more details on Family-friendly Workplace, please refer to the following publications uploaded to the Labour Department’s website:

Family-friendly Workplace
Tips on Good Human Resource Management and Family-Friendly Employment Practices

HB and HA to launch "Well-being design" guide

The Housing Bureau (HB) and the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)  announced on 2 September 2024 the launch of a resident-oriented "Well-being design" guide, which will serve as a reference for the future design of new public housing estates and the improvement works of existing estates.

The guide consists of eight booklets, covering eight well-being concepts, namely "Health & Vitality", "Green Living and Sustainability", "Age-Friendliness", "Intergenerational & Inclusive Living", "Family & Community Connection", "Urban Integration", "Upward Mobility" and "Perception & Image" as well as a space guideline. The guide provides detailed interpretation of the eight well-being concepts as well as over 50 well-being strategies and more than 170 design suggestions derived from them. It enables the Housing Department (HD) staff across various professional streams to adapt, apply and continue optimising these elements when designing public housing in future.

The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, introduced the concept brief of the guide at a media briefing, and also shared on the formulating process and findings of the guide. She said that the "Well-being design" guide integrated the precious and successful building and management experience of the HA over the past 50 years. Views and creative ideas from various sectors were also collected through collaborating with a cross-professional consultant team, including experts in architecture, planning, landscaping, management, nursing, and social services, many of whom were young people. The team also conducted research in 26 housing estates, including 25 public housing estates and a large transitional housing project, and collected first-hand opinions from over 3 000 residents through group activities, workshops, surveys and studies for reference. The brief of the guide is available at housingwellbeing.hk/design-guide/ (Chinese only; English version to be available later).

Multiple models were displayed at the briefing to demonstrate the practical application of the guide. For instance, in the model "Wellness Corner", a leaning bench is provided in the elevator for residents to rest on; hand rails and hanging hooks are added next to mailboxes, so that residents can free their hands while retrieving their mail; seats and handrails of various heights are provided in the lobby to embody "Age-Friendliness" and "Family & Community Connection". The guide proposed to fully utilise the space in public housing estates. In the model "Communal Fitness Playscape", jogging track, fitness equipment, playground, lawn and benches that can be flexibly arranged to suit residents' needs are added to build a green living space that promotes "Health & Vitality", "Intergenerational & Inclusive Living" and "Family & Community Connection". In the "Universal Service Bay" model, the guide enhances the auxiliary facilities around parking spaces for mobile services (such as mobile medical units and mobile libraries), including social seating, charging points and fitness and recreational facilities, for residents to use while waiting.

In her conclusion, Ms Ho said that the Chief Executive advocated for the formulation of a "Well-being design" guide in the 2022 Policy Address. She chaired the action group to formulate the guide together with the HD. This serves as a guideline for humble yet thoughtful and heartwarming designs. The HD also dedicated time and regular resources to carry out facade beautification and minor improvement projects at 10 housing estates, as well as completing landscaping improvement works for 20 housing estates in 2023/24. Ms Ho envisions that public housing estates will be the starting point for society to adopt well-being designs, and well-being concepts will be gradually promoted to other projects and future community designs to build more happy communities.

To promote the well-being concepts of the guide and strengthen cohesion in the community, the HB and the HA will hold a "WELL•BEING Estate Festival" from 7 to 15 September 2024. Activities include cycling tours, community art jamming and symposiums. Some of the activities are co-organised by young people and non-government organisations. Participants from three Mainland cities and five countries have registered for the symposiums and other activities so far. The full set of the "Well-being design" guide will also be announced in the symposium to be held on 12 September.

Some of the highlight activities of the "WELL•BEING Estate Festival" are as follows. For details of the events, please visit housingwellbeing.hk/en/estate-festival/. (Note)

Date	Activity	Content	Venue
7 September  (Saturday)	Public Housing Estate Festival Kick-start and Estate Culture Cycling Tour	Visit housing estates in Sha Tin by cycling to learn about their cultural stories	Mei Lam Estate and other estates in the area
8 September (Sunday)	Partnership Participation Fun Day	Talent show by teenagers and various activities organised by partners of Estate Festival	So Uk Estate
12 September (Thursday)	Symposium – Well • Being Design Dialogue I - Well-being Design and Experience	To explore how to integrate in a concrete manner well-being concepts into Hong Kong’s public housing	Che Kung Temple Sports Centre
13 September (Friday)	Symposium – Well • Being Design Dialogue II - Place-making, Management and Services	To explore how to work with the community to co-create an ideal environment and future housing management directions	Che Kung Temple Sports Centre
	Community Gala	Various celebration activities including music performance, fashion show, dance party	Sha Kok Estate
14 September  (Saturday)	Happy Family Fun Run	A 3-km run along the housing estate and Shing Mun River to promote healthy activities	Sun Chui Estate

Note: Limited places for some activities and registration will be required. Symposiums for invited parties to attend only.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202409/02/P2024090100613.htm.

Sponsors sought for 2025 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display (deadline: 20 September 2024)

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department is inviting organisations that wish to sponsor the 2025 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display to submit applications on or before 20 September 2024 (Friday).

The fireworks display will be held on 30 January 2025 (Thursday).

Applications should be submitted to the Secretariat of the Fireworks Vetting Committee (Address: Community Programmes Office, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, 8/F, Queen Elizabeth Stadium, 18 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong).

Further enquiries can be made at 2591 1207.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202409/02/P2024090200312.htm.

Occupational safety and health training courses open for applications

The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the LD will launch a wide range of occupational safety and health training courses from October to December in 2024. The courses aim to enhance the working population's awareness of occupational safety and health, as well as their understanding of the legal requirements and standards stipulated in occupational safety regulations.

The training courses cover a wide range of topics, including:

1. Major Safety and Health Regulations related to Industrial Accident Prevention and Their Latest Amendments
2. Safety Management Regulation cum Safety Inspection Programme and Accident/Incident Investigation
3. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention on Work in Confined Spaces and other Safety Regulations related to Risk Assessment (new course)
4. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention in Logistics Industry (including Storage Work)
5. Industrial Accident Cases Analysis and Related Safety Regulations cum Major Safety and Health Regulations related to Employees' Duties (with one class to be conducted in English)
6. Safety Regulations on Working in times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment
7. A Brief Introduction to Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice related to Construction Work (including Renovation, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition Works)
8. Safety Regulations on Working at Height (including Truss-out Bamboo Scaffolds and Suspended Working Platforms) cum Codes of Practice on Scaffolds and Suspended Working Platforms
9. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention on Lifting Work (including Tower and Mobile Cranes) cum Codes of Practice for Safe Use of Tower and Mobile Cranes
10. Loadshifting Machinery Regulation cum Safe Use of Power-operated Elevating Work Platform and Common Heavy Machinery
11. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention in Catering Trade
12. Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and Regulation (with one class to be conducted in English)
13. Safety Regulations on Manual Handling Operations
14. Dangerous Substances Regulations
15. Health Hints on the Use of Computer cum More Exercise Smart Work
16. Occupational Stress cum Happy Workplace
17. First Aid in the Workplace
18. Strategies for the Prevention of Occupational Diseases cum Work and Healthy Lifestyle

Unless otherwise specified, the courses will mainly be conducted in Cantonese at the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre, 13/F, KOLOUR Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan. Enrolment is free.

Employers who wish to arrange for their employees to attend the courses can log in to the application website (www.oshtc.labour.gov.hk/wpas/?lang=en) or scan the QR code (see Annex) to learn about the course content and sign up for the courses. Interested employees can also enrol in the courses through the abovementioned channels on their own. For enquiries, please call 2940 7057.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202409/02/P2024083000313.htm.

Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme invites new round of applications (deadline: 30 November 2024)

The Main Programme under the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS) is inviting a new round of applications for project proposals starting from 1 September 2024 from non-profit-distributing organisations such as professional bodies, trade and industrial organisations and research institutes.

PASS, with a total allocation of $200 million, aims at funding non-profit-making industry-led projects to increase exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong's professional services and external counterparts, promote relevant publicity activities, and enhance the standards and external competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services.

The maximum grant for each approved project under the Main Programme of PASS is $3 million or 90 per cent of the total eligible project cost, whichever is lower. A wide range of professional services, such as accounting, legal and dispute resolution, architecture, engineering, healthcare, information and communications technology, design and technical testing and analysis, are eligible for the Main Programme. Sector-specific projects and cross-sectoral projects are both welcome. Expenses directly incurred for implementing a project, such as manpower costs, venue and set-up costs, production and promotion costs, and the project team and active participants' travel and accommodation costs outside Hong Kong are typically eligible for funding support under the Scheme. Funding support may also be provided for travel and accommodation costs incurred by participants of relatively longer professional internships or attachment programmes outside Hong Kong which are funded by the Main Programme.

Up to early August 2024, near 110 projects had been funded under the Main Programme, including project deliverables in and outside Hong Kong. The deliverables include capacity-building programmes for enhancing the standards of local professionals, such as training programmes, workshops and study tours; outreach and promotional activities for showcasing the strengths of Hong Kong's professional services, such as roadshows, promotional seminars and participation in exhibitions outside Hong Kong; exchange activities for deepening interaction between Hong Kong professionals and their external counterparts, such as visits to other economies and international conferences and seminars held in Hong Kong; and research projects on potential external markets for Hong Kong professional services and development of best practice guidelines and manuals for professionals. Details about the Main Programme and its funded projects are available at www.pass.gov.hk/main/en/home.

Furthermore, with a view to stepping up the promotion of Hong Kong's competitive edges and professional services to Mainland cities (including those in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) and overseas markets, $50 million has been set aside for the Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme (PSP) under PASS to subsidise Hong Kong major professional bodies to participate in relevant activities organised by the Government (such as Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council after the pandemic situation has stabilised. Details of the PSP and its latest list of eligible activities are available at www.pass.gov.hk/psp. Hong Kong professionals from the eligible professional sectors under PASS may make use of the PSP subsidy to join the relevant activities.

The Main Programme and the PSP receive applications for project and activity proposals all year round and they are processed on a quarterly basis. The deadline for the new round of applications is 30 November 2024. A briefing session will be held in September 2024 for organisations interested in applying for PASS funding. For registration for the briefing session or other enquiries, please contact the PASS Secretariat at 3655 5418 or pass@cedb.gov.hk.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202409/01/P2024090100198.htm.

Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme of Hong Kong Customs extended

Hong Kong Customs on 1 September 2024 extended the Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme (FTA Scheme) to cover transshipment cargoes from the Mainland to Vietnam and Nicaragua via Hong Kong, and from Serbia via Hong Kong to the Mainland.

The scope of service of the FTA Scheme originally covers cargoes of 68 economies under 20 trade agreements signed between the Mainland and its trading partners to be transshipped northbound via Hong Kong to the Mainland, and the Mainland transshipment cargoes heading southbound via Hong Kong for Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Australia under seven trade agreements signed.

Upon the extension, local traders starting from 1 September 2024 can apply to Hong Kong Customs for a Certificate of Non-manipulation for the purpose of claiming a preferential tariff under the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-operation between the Association of South East Asian Nations and the People's Republic of China or the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the China-Nicaragua Free Trade Agreement, and the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement, for cargoes from the Mainland transshipped to Vietnam and Nicaragua via Hong Kong, and those from Serbia transshipped to the Mainland via Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Customs will actively take forward the extension of the coverage of the FTA Scheme to enable more goods passing through Hong Kong to enjoy tariff concessions provided under relevant trade agreements, assist enterprises to explore overseas markets, and reinforce Hong Kong's pioneering status as a logistics hub.

Hong Kong Customs has implemented the FTA Scheme since 20 December 2015, to provide traders with Customs supervision service and issue the Certificate of Non-manipulation to certify transshipment cargoes that have not undergone any further processing during their stay in Hong Kong. For applications, please visit www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/trade-facilitation/fta/procedure/index.html.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202409/01/P2024083000307.htm.

Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme recognises exemplary construction safety performance

The 30th Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony, the finale of Construction Safety Week 2024 co-organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), was held on 30 August 2024 to commend construction contractors, site supervising teams, project leaders, frontline supervisors and workers with outstanding safety performance.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, said that a record high of 417 construction sites participated in the Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme this year, reflecting the great importance attached to site safety by the industry.

Mr Lau called on the industry to cultivate good site safety culture and strengthen safety awareness. All site staff should fulfill their responsibilities, play their roles and work together in ensuring a safe working environment for all.

He also encouraged industry stakeholders to proactively utilise innovative technologies to enhance site safety management, continue to support the installation of the Smart Site Safety System (4S) and participate in the 4S Labelling Scheme launched by the DEVB and the CIC in May 2024. A total of 500 construction sites are expected to be issued with labels within 2024, and nearly 150 construction sites have been issued with labels up till now. Furthermore, based on the arrangement of offering subsidies under the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) for private works projects to adopt 4S, the applicant’s eligibility for the CITF has been extended to local mobile plant and tower crane rental companies, with a view to expediting wider adoption of the 4S in the industry by subsidising them in the first place. Application details are available on the CITF’s website (www.citf.cic.hk) for reference.

Also officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the CIC, Mr Thomas Ho, stressed the vital role played by every member of project teams in site safety and the aim to build a site safety culture together. He encouraged the industry to proactively adopt the 4S to further enhance site safety standards and safety culture in the construction industry.

Awards were presented to a total of 66 construction sites and 19 frontline staff (including best model workers, model frontline supervisors, model subcontractor frontline supervisors and model project leaders) this year and the list of awardees of the Scheme is available on the website of Construction Safety Week (www.safetyweek.hk).

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202408/30/P2024083000522.htm.

Government invites market to submit expressions of interest regarding Smart and Green Mass Transit Systems in Kai Tak and East Kowloon

The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), jointly with the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Highways Department (HyD), on 29 August 2024 invited relevant system suppliers and operators to submit expressions of interest (EOI) for the smart and green mass transit systems (SGMTS) in Kai Tak and East Kowloon, respectively, to gather views from the market.

A spokesperson for the TLB said, "Since the Chief Executive announced the implementation of the SGMTS in Kai Tak and East Kowloon in the 2023 Policy Address, the Government has been taking forward the preparation work of the projects, with the award of the consultancy agreements in mid this year (2024) to conduct the investigation and design of these two projects in full swing. Given that this will be the first time the SGMTS is introduced in Hong Kong, through this EOI invitation, we would like to further ascertain the interest and capability of the market in constructing and operating these two SGMTS and obtain feedback on different aspects, including the feasibility of expanding the system alignments in the future and measures to expedite the commissioning of the systems.

"The Government has always been advocating the mindset of 'policy innovation' and 'approach innovation' in implementing the two projects so that the public can enjoy the benefits as soon as possible. As regards the Kai Tak project, we will adopt an innovative implementation approach, including further advancing the tender invitation and arranging part of the statutory processes to be carried out in tandem with the detailed design stage. We strive to bring forward the tender invitation to next year (2025) with the goal of awarding the works contract in 2026. As regards the East Kowloon project, we target to strive to invite tenders in 2026 with an aim to award the works contract in 2027. In addition, we will continue to explore different procurement options and will make reference to the views gathered from the EOI exercise to review the viability of compressing the programmes in various stages from planning, design to construction, such as adopting Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing, in order to further shorten the overall programme of the two projects."

The SGMTS in Kai Tak is about 3.5 kilometres long with five proposed stations. Adopting a dedicated and elevated corridor (in the form of viaducts/track systems) design, it connects the former runway area of Kai Tak to the MTR Kai Tak Station, strengthening the connectivity with the residential and commercial developments, tourism, culture and recreation, sports and community facilities, as well as connecting with the existing railway network, serving the population and employment of about 50 000 as well as the tourists in the area.

The SGMTS in East Kowloon is about 7km long with eight proposed stations. It provides a convenient and fast feeder service for the uphill areas in Kwun Tong and facilitates the public to gain access to the MTR Choi Hung Station and Yau Tong Station with an aim to improve the overall transportation of East Kowloon and unleash development potential. Its alignment will pass through Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat and Ma Yau Tong, serving over 300 000 residents in these areas. The system will mainly operate on a dedicated and elevated corridor. A tunnel section from Ma Yau Tong to Yau Tong near Lam Tin North is proposed, but the feasibility of non-tunnel options will also be explored.

For these two projects, the Government proposes a single party to be responsible for each project for undertaking the detailed design and construction of the system, as well as its operation and maintenance during the contract period of around 20 to 30 years, and handing over the system in good operation conditions to the Government at the end of the contract period. The future operators need to run the systems on a commercial basis and provide high-quality public transportation services with publicly acceptable fare. If necessary, the Government will explore providing financial support for the projects, including granting property development rights at the proposed depot sites.

"The views obtained from the EOI will help us gain a deeper understanding of various technical aspects of the projects, including system characteristics, operation capabilities, maintenance and repair requirements, and enable us to explore with the market a delivery mode that meets public interests and is financially viable. Such information will serve as a reference for ascertaining the technical details, delivery mode and financial arrangement at a later stage. We encourage interested suppliers and operators to submit their EOI. This EOI exercise is not a tender exercise, nor is it part of the procurement exercise," the spokesperson continued.

The CEDD and the HyD will conduct separate on-line briefing sessions for interested companies regarding the SGMTS in Kai Tak and East Kowloon. Details of the EOI invitation and on-line briefing sessions for the SGMTS in Kai Tak and East Kowloon can be found on the webpages of the CEDD (www.ktgts.hk) and the HyD (www.sgmts-ek.hk/eoi/), respectively.

The deadlines for submission of the EOI are as follows:

EOI for SGMTS in Kai Tak	EOI for SGMTS in East Kowloon
noon on 24 October 2024 (Thursday)	noon on 7 November 2024 (Thursday)

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202408/29/P2024082900410.htm.

HKMA launches Project Ensemble Sandbox to accelerate adoption of tokenisation

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on 28 August 2024 hosted the launch ceremony for Project Ensemble Sandbox (the Sandbox) and introduced four main themes of asset tokenisation use cases for the initial round of experimentation (see Annex), marking a significant step forward in the advancement of tokenisation in real-world application within the financial sector.

The HKMA has completed the building and setup of the Sandbox (Note), which is designed to facilitate interbank settlement using experimental tokenised money, focusing on transactions involving tokenised assets. Participating banks from the Project Ensemble Architecture Community (the Community) have connected their tokenised deposit platforms to the Sandbox, paving the way to conduct experiments for both interbank payment-versus-payment and delivery-versus-payment settlement.

After thorough consideration of industry interest, prevailing market trends and potential innovative impact, the initial round of experimentation will cover tokenisation of both traditional financial assets and real-world assets, focusing on four main themes: fixed income and investment funds, liquidity management, green and sustainable finance, and trade and supply chain finance. With a view to strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre with an innovative spirit to create new economic sectors, the HKMA will continue to actively engage with the industry to gauge interest in tokenisation, develop new themes and identify further use cases for tokenisation.

To support the sustainable development of the tokenised asset market in Hong Kong, an appropriate regulatory framework is essential. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), a key member of the Community, plays a crucial role in helping to develop a regulatory framework that will support the sustainable growth of the tokenised asset market in Hong Kong. In addition, the SFC will be co-leading with the HKMA on tokenisation initiatives for the asset management industry to promote wider adoption and ultimately enhancing Hong Kong's position as a premier asset and wealth management centre.

On the international front, the HKMA will also explore collaborating with the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub Hong Kong Centre across one or more themes, and engage the central bank digital currency (CBDC) Expert Group to leverage their subject matter expertise to further advance the Sandbox.

The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "The introduction of the Project Ensemble Sandbox to test tokenisation use cases marks a significant step forward for the HKMA and the industry to explore the application of tokenisation in real-life business scenarios. Since the launch of Project Ensemble in March (2024), we have been encouraged by the strong interest from the industry in pioneering innovative solutions to redefine the digital finance landscape. The HKMA looks forward to collaborating with the SFC, other central banking institutions, academia, and all relevant industry participants to further drive innovation and progress in the Hong Kong tokenisation market."

The Chief Executive Officer of the SFC, Ms Julia Leung, said "The Sandbox launch today (28 August 2024) is a clear example of how innovation and regulation can go hand in hand to blaze a new path for our financial markets. As two major architects of Hong Kong's financial markets, the SFC and the HKMA share the same vision and dedication to future-proofing the city's financial system through innovative market infrastructure."

Note: Project Ensemble seeks to explore innovative financial market infrastructure (FMI) to facilitate seamless interbank settlement of tokenised money through wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC). Through the Sandbox, the HKMA seeks to examine technical interoperability among tokenised assets, tokenised deposits and wCBDC, while enabling industry participants to conduct end-to-end testing of tokenised asset transactions in practical business scenarios.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202408/28/P2024082800268.htm.

AFCD and Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium sign MoU on launch of commercially operating aquaculture trial project at Tung Lung Chau modern mariculture demonstration farm

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 26 August 2024 with the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium (HKFC) to launch a commercially operating aquaculture trial project at the modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone.

An AFCD spokesman said, "Developing deep sea mariculture is one of the key measures of the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. To this end, the Department will launch a commercially operating aquaculture trial project at the Tung Lung Chau modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone. This project, which will operate on a commercialised, high value-added and sustainable aquaculture model, will use modern equipment, conduct trials with new aquaculture technologies, provide training for local fishermen, etc."

The 18-month commercially operating aquaculture trial project will be implemented by a suitable local aquaculture production unit commissioned by the HKFC. A local academic institution will be invited to act as the project consultant, which will be responsible for collecting aquaculture and economic data, as well as providing training for local fishermen and developing a standard operating manual. The HKFC will formulate a clear selection mechanism to ensure a fair, impartial and transparent selection process when commissioning the local aquaculture production unit.

Through a partnership, the AFCD will collaborate with the HKFC to foster industry development, enhance functions of fisheries organisations, share the benefits of intensification with fishermen and strengthen their role in the future of Hong Kong's fisheries development.

To guide the local mariculture industry to adopt modern and sustainable operation, the AFCD established a modern mariculture demonstration farm at the Tung Lung Chau fish culture zone in 2021. The demonstration farm has adopted a semi-submersible steel truss cage farm design that can withstand strong wind, waves and ocean currents and is durable. Equipped with modernised technology and management, such as a real-time surveillance system, a real-time water quality monitoring system, an automated feeding system, a solar and wind power generation system, the demonstration farm can operate in the open sea with better water exchange on a larger scale and increase production capacity.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202408/26/P2024082600232.htm.

CDI-CDEG linkage to promote development of Hong Kong's digital economy

The HKMA and the DPO jointly announced on 26 August 2024 that the connection arrangement between the HKMA's Commercial Data Interchange (CDI)(Note 1) and the Government's Consented Data Exchange Gateway (CDEG)(Note2) is now in full operation, with a promising growth in the utilisation rate by the pilot banks conducting trial transactions via the CDI-CDEG linkage established in late December 2023. With the successful completion of the trial run, the connection is now open to all CDI participating banks.

As the first government data source of CDI, the Companies Registry (CR) has connected to CDI through CDEG. By connecting to the CR via the CDI-CDEG linkage (also known as "CR@CDI"), banks can directly obtain company particulars such as company names, registered office addresses and share capital structure, which helps streamline various banking processes including account opening, fraud detection and Know Your Customer. The connection arrangement facilitates financial institutions, upon authorisation, to access government data related to corporate and business operations, thereby supporting the digitalisation of the financial services industry, promoting the overall development of Hong Kong's digital economy, as well as facilitating the full exploitation of the potential of data.

With banks conducting pilot trials in phases, the HKMA and the DPO will continue to explore the possibility of including additional business operation data in the future to assist banks in obtaining more comprehensive company search records.

Since its official launch, CDI has successfully enhanced the SME loan approval processes, facilitating more than 27,000 loan applications and reviews, with an estimated credit approval amount exceeding HK$23.8 billion as of end-June 2024. To unleash the potential of CDI beyond corporate level and to bolster the Government's digitalisation initiatives that enhance public convenience, the HKMA will explore the feasibility of extending the use of CDI to personal level leveraging the CDI-CDEG linkage.

Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Howard Lee, said, "Thanks to the support of the DPO, the CDI-CDEG connection has been working well, which is a testament to the HKMA's efforts in addressing the industry's demand for government data in its digitalisation journey. Leveraging the established connection between the two platforms, the HKMA will invite more government bureaux and departments to share consented data with banks. These concerted efforts will greatly benefit SMEs across various sectors and contribute to the advancement of Hong Kong's digital economy."

The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, said, "Data is the key element in promoting the development of smart city, and innovation and technology. We have been implementing different measures to promote the opening up and sharing of government data. The connection of the two data sharing platforms is an important milestone on government data sharing. With the banking sector making good use of the new measure, it will enable customers to enjoy more convenient services and facilitate the banking industry to explore more business opportunities, thereby contributing to the development of digital economy of Hong Kong. With a view to promoting data-driven, people-centric and outcome-based digital policies within the Government and across sectors, the DPO will facilitate more opening up and sharing of data, and innovate government services with the aid of digital technologies and data. The DPO and the HKMA will continue to actively liaise with government bureaux and departments to prepare for more related data sharing with the industry, supporting the development of more convenient government services for bringing benefits to citizens and businesses."

Note 1: Launched by the HKMA, CDI is a consent-based financial data infrastructure that aims to enhance data sharing by facilitating financial institutions' retrieval of enterprises' commercial data, in particular the data of SMEs, from both public and private data providers.

Note 2: Developed by the Government, CDEG serves to facilitate the interflow of data within the Government.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202408/26/P2024082600287.htm.