Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary: Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:      Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:    &nbsp… read more

     A spokesman for the Government announced today (November 25) that Hong Kong and Macao have signed a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation arrangement (Arrangement), signifying enhanced tax co-operation between Hong Kong and Macao.

     This Arrangement is the 43rd comprehensive avoidance of the double taxation agreement/arrangement that Hong Kong has signed with its trading partners. It will help deepen the economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Macao, offer additional incentives for the business sector of both sides to do business and invest, promote nurturing and exchanges of talents, and further drive the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     In 2018, Macao was Hong Kong’s 19th largest trading partner. Following the conclusion of the Arrangement between Hong Kong and Macao, Hong Kong has signed relevant agreements with 14 of its top 20 trading partners.

     Under the Arrangement, any Macao tax paid by Hong Kong residents in respect of income derived from sources in Macao will be allowed as a credit against the Hong Kong tax payable on the same income, subject to the provisions of the tax laws of Hong Kong. For Macao residents, double taxation will be avoided by way of exemption of the income taxed in Hong Kong from the Macao tax, or by crediting the Hong Kong tax paid against the Macao tax payable in respect of the same income.

     Moreover, the Arrangement provides the following tax relief arrangements:

(a) Profits earned by Hong Kong residents in Macao from cross-boundary shipping, air and land transport will not be taxed in Macao; and

(b) An eligible teacher or researcher who is employed in Hong Kong and engages in teaching and research activities at a recognised educational or scientific research institution in Macao shall be exempt from tax in Macao for a period of three years, provided that the relevant income has been subject to tax in Hong Kong.

     The Arrangement will come into force after the completion of ratification procedures by both sides. In the case of Hong Kong, the Arrangement will be implemented by way of an order to be made by the Chief Executive in Council under the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112). The order is subject to negative vetting by the Legislative Council.

     Details of the Hong Kong-Macao Arrangement (Chinese version only) can be found on the Inland Revenue Department’s website (www.ird.gov.hk/chi/pdf/Arrangement_Macao_HongKong.pdf). read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 25) published the report "Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong – Waste Statistics for 2018", presenting the 2018 statistics on disposal and recovery/recy… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
 
     This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 90th meeting held in November 2019:
 
Amendments to the radio code of practice on technical standards
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     In view of the discontinuation of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) services in September 2017 and the dismantling of all the related transmission facilities by March 2019, the CA decided to remove references relating to the provision of DAB services from and make other editorial changes to the radio code of practice on technical standards (the Code). The amended Code is available on the CA’s website (www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/common/policies_regulations/cop/RadioTechCode_BAAR_e.pdf.)
 
Renewal and termination of “other licensable television programme service” licences
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     The CA approved the applications by Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited and Golden News Enterprises Limited for renewal of their respective “other licensable television programme service” (other licensable TV) licences for the provision of television programme services to hotel rooms in Hong Kong for a period of 12 years. The CA also approved the application by Luxury Hotels International of Hong Kong Limited to terminate its other licensable TV licence with effect from December 20, 2019.
      
     Following the renewal or termination of the above licences, there will be 21 other licensable TV licensees providing television programme services to more than 70 hotels in Hong Kong. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, November 25, 2019 is 106.4 (down 0.1 against last Saturday’s index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, November 23, 2019 was 106.5 (up 0.1 against last Friday’s index). read more