The Government declared by notice in the Gazette today (April 12) the vacancy of an elected seat in the Yuen Long District Council Shap Pat Heung West Constituency.

     As Mr Ching Chan-ming has become an ex-officio member of the Yuen Long District Council by virtue of holding office as the Chairman of the Shap Pat Heung Rural Committee, his office as an elected member of the Yuen Long District Council Shap Pat Heung West Constituency became vacant on March 31, 2019, pursuant to sections 10 and 26(b) of the District Councils Ordinance (Cap 547).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     During the winter 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 (April 12) 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; Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach in Islands District; and 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, today (April 11, Eastern Standard Time) in Washington DC, the United States to co-organise IFC's Sixth Annual Climate Business Forum, which will be held in Hong Kong in early 2020.
      
     The Forum brings together global policymakers and finance leaders to share knowledge and expertise on growing climate business investment in emerging markets. This collaboration signifies HKMA's commitment in partnering with thought leaders such as the IFC in promoting Hong Kong as an international hub for green finance.
      
     The signing, during the World Bank Group's annual Spring Meetings, adds to the HKMA's commitments towards green finance. In addition, the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC), wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government through the Exchange Fund managed by the HKMA, and IFC recently entered into a Master Cooperation Agreement (MCA) to promote infrastructure financing. The MCA serves to streamline the steps taken when both sides co-finance infrastructure projects by standardising the investment process and documentation.
      
     "This continuing partnership with institutional investor HKMA supports IFC's aim to share our expertise and the opportunities available for investing in developing markets," the Chief Executive Officer of the IFC, Philippe Le Houérou said at the signing ceremony. "Together with the HKMA, we look forward to accelerating green growth in emerging markets."
      
     The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Norman Chan, said, "We welcome the opportunity to work together with IFC in co-organising the Climate Business Forum in Hong Kong. We are also very pleased to further our collaboration with IFC, which has been a trusted partner of the HKMA in credit investments across emerging markets." He added, "Like IFC, the HKMA is dedicated to supporting responsible investment and green finance. The HKMA has incorporated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the investment processes of the Exchange Fund. The ESG principles of unveiling the long-term sustainable value of investments for investors are well in line with the established principle of the Exchange Fund in pursuing a long-term stable return."
      
     Mobilising private capital into emerging markets is critical to IFC's mandate of supporting economic development through private-sector growth. Innovative syndications platforms like the Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program and standardised investor approaches like the MCA create new pathways for emerging-market companies to access significant new pools of capital to grow their businesses. The MCA has over 30 signatories and has supported more than US$16 billion in parallel lending for IFC borrowers since 2009.
      
About IFC

     IFC—a sister organisation of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2 000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world. In fiscal year 2018, we delivered more than US$23 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org
      
About the HKMA

     The HKMA is the government authority in Hong Kong responsible for maintaining monetary and banking stability. It was established in April 1993 by merging the Office of the Exchange Fund and the Office of the Commissioner of Banking.
      
The HKMA's policy objectives are:
• To maintain currency stability within the framework of the Linked Exchange Rate System;
• To promote the stability and integrity of the financial system, including the banking system;
• To help maintain Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, including the maintenance and development of Hong Kong's financial infrastructure; and
• To manage the Exchange Fund.
 
About the HKMC

     The HKMC, established in 1997, is wholly-owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government through the Exchange Fund. Operating on prudent commercial principles, the HKMC strives to promote stability of the banking sector, wider home ownership, as well as development of the local debt market and retirement planning market. 
     
     To further its mandates on promoting banking sector stability and local debt market development, the HKMC commenced the implementation of the infrastructure financing and securitisation business in 2019, with the aims to fill the infrastructure financing market gaps, facilitating infrastructure investment and financing flows; and to help consolidate Hong Kong's position as an infrastructure financing hub, benefitting financial and professional service sectors.

     As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

     A spokesman for the LD said today (April 11) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

     Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

     In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

     The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

     Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.