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The following is issued on behalf of the Financial Services Development Council:

     The Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong today (November 13) jointly hosted a forum to explore career opportunities in the Greater Bay Area.

     Entitled “Development of Greater Bay Area and the Career Opportunities for Hong Kong Graduates”, the forum was the 31st event under the FSDC’s Practitioner Speaker Series. The forum featured the Associate Director of the MBA Programme at the City University of Hong Kong, Dr Wilson Chan, who also serves as a member of the FSDC Mainland Opportunities Committee; and Partner, Financial Services, Head of Chinese and Local Accounts/Lead of Virtual Banking Application, Ernst & Young Hong Kong, Ms Jasmine Lee.

     Enhanced workplace mobility generated by economic co-operation in the Greater Bay Area (Bay Area) opens up exciting opportunities for career progression. Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre and offshore Renminbi hub is already driving demand for financial services across the boundary. The goal of creating a world-class city cluster across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region is expected to play a leading role in advancing developments in innovation, trade and financial services.

     Dr Chan said, “With strengthened integration of city clusters of the Bay Area and closer collaboration between governments of the Pan Pearl River Delta, ASEAN countries and southern Asia, development of the Bay Area opens up immense opportunities for the younger generation.”

     Ms Lee said, “The success of the Bay Area is attributable to a number of factors including market demand, policy, capital and talents. Talents are essential in facilitating the acceleration of technology development in the area, and enabling collaboration among the 11 Bay Area cities.”

     In addition to new roles being created, both speakers considered that the corporate banking sector will generate huge demand for candidates from Hong Kong.

     The FSDC’s Practitioner Speaker Series is a project developed between the FSDC and local universities, with speakers from the financial services industry giving talks to university students about important industry facts and the skill sets required in developing a career in financial services.

About the FSDC

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established the FSDC in 2013 as a high-level, cross-sectoral advisory body to engage the industry in formulating proposals to promote the further development of Hong Kong’s financial services industry and to map out the strategic direction for development.

     The FSDC set up five committees, namely the Policy Research Committee, the Mainland Opportunities Committee, the New Business Committee, the Market Development Committee and the Human Capital Committee, as the five streams of its work. read more

     The Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang; the Director General of Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of  Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), Mr Li Shuyu; and the Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong lao Lek today (November 13) signed a memorandum on the co-operative and mutual-assistance arrangements between GACC, Hong Kong and Macao Customs at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Ports (the Memorandum) in Gongbei, laying down a foundation for the three-side cooperation in customs affairs on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB).

     The Memorandum covers the following major points:

     (1) Establish a liaison mechanism for the three customs administrations;

     (2) Extend the Single E-lock Scheme, which is a speedy clearance programme currently in force between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, to the Hong Kong and Zhuhai Ports of the HZMB;

     (3) Implement mutual-reference and recognition of inspection findings among the three customs administrations; and

     (4) Launch customs co-operation in investigation and law enforcement in different areas. 

     According to the Inter-Governmental Agreement signed by the governments of Hong Kong, Guangdong Province and Macao in 2010, the ports of HZMB adopt the “separate locations” mode of clearance. The Memorandum strengthens the tripartite partnership in customs affairs and will extend the scope of cooperation. It also will increase customs clearance efficiency for passenger and cargo movements and will make anti-smuggling efforts effective.

    

     A recycling site, Kwong Kei Lee Hardware, located at Ma Liu Shui San Tsuen in Fanling illegally stored hazardous electronic waste (e-waste). It was convicted and fined $15,500 at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (November 13) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
      
     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that during a blitz operation conducted in May this year, EPD staff raided a recycling site operated by Kwong Kei Lee Hardware at Ma Liu Shui San Tsuen in Fanling. It was found that the site illegally stored waste flat panel displays (FPDs) and waste printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are classified as chemical waste. During the operation, a total of around 300 kilograms of PCBs and more than 450 pieces of FPDs were found stored in some hidden places at the recycling site, with a total export market value of about $100,000. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the responsible person of the recycling site in accordance with the Regulation.
 
     The spokesman stressed that dismantled PCBs, LCD monitors and cathode ray tubes are hazardous e-waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances. They are classified as chemical waste and must be properly handled. Otherwise, they will pollute the environment and pose a risk to the health of relevant trade practitioners and the general public. The EPD will continue to conduct blitz operations to combat illegal collection, storage, handling, import or export of hazardous e-waste. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

     Members of the public may visit the EPD’s website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.

  

     A works contractor and a property owner illegally removed the asbestos roofs of a squatter house in Fanling and a residential flat in Tai Po by themselves. They were convicted today (November 13) at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) and were fined a total of $9,000.
 
     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that there were reports from members of the public in May about the illegal removal of asbestos roofs of a squatter house at Hung Leng Tsuen in Fanling and a residential flat at Dragon Court in Tai Po. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the EPD had not been notified prior to the commencement of these asbestos removal works and no registered asbestos contractors were hired for the works as stipulated by the law. After evidence collection, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the non-registered works contractor and the property owner under the APCO.
 
     The spokesman said that to safeguard public health, asbestos abatement works at squatter structures or residential buildings must be carried out by a registered asbestos contractor in accordance with the statutory requirements and the code of practice on asbestos control to prevent the release of asbestos fibres from affecting the workers and public health. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. Anyone failing to give not less than 28 days’ written notice to the EPD prior to the commencement of such works is also liable to a maximum fine of $200,000.
 
     The spokesman urged members of the public who witness any illegal asbestos abatement work to report it to the department. They can call the EPD departmental hotline at 2838 3111 to help combat such illegal practices.

  

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 is 106 (down 0.1 against yesterday’s index). read more