The Development Bureau (DEVB) said today (May 6) that pursuant to the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court on April 8, the parties filed with the Court on April 29 supplementary written submissions regarding relief and costs. The Court granted its orders on these matters on April 30.
 
     "The Court ruled on April 8 that the Free Building Licence (FBL) arrangement under the Small House Policy, being a lawful traditional right and interest of the indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories within the meaning of Article 40 of the Basic Law, is lawful and constitutional, while the Private Treaty Grant (PTG) and Land Exchange arrangements under the Policy are not. In its supplementary written submission made on April 29, the Government pointed out that certain types of Land Exchange only involve private land of the applicant but not government land, hence should be identical to FBL in nature. Having considered the supplementary written submissions from the parties, the Court confirmed in the orders granted on April 30 that as far as Land Exchange is concerned, the unconstitutionality ruling handed down on April 8 applied only to Land Exchange involving government land. In view of this, the Lands Department will resume today (May 6) the receipt and processing of applications for approval to build small houses through Land Exchange not involving government land," a spokesman for the DEVB said.
 
     Separately, with the consent of the parties, the Court approved on  April 29 the extension of the deadline for appeal to May 28. The Court also reiterated that the grants made before the judgment takes effect on October 8 would not be affected by the judgment. The DEVB is studying in detail with the legal team whether to lodge an appeal. Pending a decision on whether to appeal, the Lands Department will continue to suspend the receipt of applications for grant of government land for building small houses through PTG and grant of government land for building small houses through Land Exchange, as well as the processing of such applications already received.

     The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, today (May 6) started his duty visit to Kolkata, Pune and Mumbai in India as part of Invest Hong Kong's (InvestHK) continued efforts to promote Hong Kong's business attractions.
      
     Mr Phillips arrived in Kolkata yesterday and will later visit Pune and Mumbai. During the six-day visit he will meet with leaders of various sectors including multi-sector conglomerates, industrial manufacturers, energy company, a port authority, technology and creative companies and chambers of commerce. He will speak at a seminar in Kolkata hosted in collaboration with The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and at another in Mumbai co-organised with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, to update local executives on Hong Kong's favourable business environment. In Pune, he will speak at a startup networking event on Hong Kong's startup ecosystem and InvestHK's StartmeupHK Festival.
      
     Mr Phillips said, "India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and also a major startup base. The country has a very good foundation in technology and is a leader in research and development. At the same time, Hong Kong is seeing a crucial economic transformation, putting greater focus on technology and innovation development. A number of new sectors like fintech and biotech are developing fast in Hong Kong. Over the years, our startup ecosystem has also grown rapidly. The two economies share a lot of similarities.
     
     "The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area sets out Hong Kong's multiple roles, amongst other things as an international financial city, a global innovation hub and the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. These areas of work are all conducive to developing Hong Kong further as an international metropolis with enhanced competitiveness. Indian companies that aim to expand into Asia and the world should leverage on the unique international status of Hong Kong." The Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement between Hong Kong and India that recently came into effect should add more appeal for Indian companies to consider Hong Kong as a regional base, Mr Phillips added.
          
     The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area covers nine cities in Guangdong Province, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing, as well as the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao. It is an enormous market with a population of 71 million and a gross domestic product of US$1.6 trillion.
          
 About InvestHK
             
     InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the service demand surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 6) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, will depart for London, the United Kingdom (UK) tomorrow (May 6) afternoon to lead a delegation to attend the UK-Hong Kong Financial Dialogue 2019 (Dialogue) to foster closer financial collaboration between financial officials, regulators and business leaders of the two places.

     The delegation comprises representatives from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission and the Insurance Authority; as well as industry leaders from the banking, financial technology (fintech) and asset management sectors. 

     Mr Lau will take part in various sessions of the Dialogue, including delivering opening remarks at the "London-Hong Kong Financial Services Forum" and "the UK-Hong Kong Financial Services Government Dialogue" to be held on May 7 and 8 (London time) respectively.

     During his stay in London, Mr Lau will have meetings with the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Philip Hammond, and the UK Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Mr John Glen.

     He will also call on the Acting Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Ms Chen Wen, address the Hong Kong Association at a luncheon and visit two fintech companies.

     Mr Lau will return to Hong Kong on May 9. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, will act as Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury.