The Immigration Department today (February 22) announced that the Yuen Long Office (YLO) will be relocated to 1/F, Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long from next Monday (February 26). The existing office at Manhattan Plaza, Yuen Long will close the same day. In addition, after its expansion, the address of the Fo Tan Office (FTO) has been amended as Shops 405-407, 4/F, Jubilee Square, 2-18 Lok King Street, Fo Tan.

     The YLO and the FTO mainly provide services to members of the public relating to the application and issue of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) travel documents, extension of stay in Hong Kong and registration and replacement of identity cards. The new YLO is conveniently located, and with a substantial increase in floor area compared to the original office, members of the public will be able to process their applications in a more user-friendly and spacious environment. Following its expansion the FTO now has more service counters and its handling capacity has been strengthened to further improve the quality of services provided to members of the public.

     Eligible applicants aged 18 or over and those born in Hong Kong and aged 11 to 17 may submit HKSAR passport applications at self-service kiosks. To meet the ever-increasing demand for HKSAR passports, the Immigration Department has set up more self-service kiosks at Immigration Headquarters and Immigration branch offices, increasing the total number from 19 to 28. Applications for a replacement passport due to loss, damage or change of personal data should be made in person.

     HKSAR travel document application forms and information leaflets on application procedures and the requisite documents are available at Immigration Headquarters and Immigration branch offices. For details and application forms, please visit the website www.gov.hk/passport . Further application details for HKSAR travel documents are also available at the Easy Access of the Immigration Department YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/immdgovhkchannel). Enquiries can also be made by telephone (2824 6111), fax (2877 7711) or email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk).

     The Department of Health (DH) today (February 22) appealed to the public not to buy or consume a slimming product named SIN DEN BEAUTY as it was found to contain undeclared and banned drug ingredients that might be dangerous to health.
 
     The DH commenced investigation upon receipt of notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) regarding a female patient with a history of consuming the above slimming product.
 
     “The patient was admitted to hospital for acute psychosis. Sibutramine metabolites were detected in her urine sample,” a DH spokesman said.
 
     According to testing results from the HA, which were later confirmed by the Government Laboratory, the sample of the product provided by the patient was found to contain the banned substances sibutramine and phenolphthalein.
 
     Preliminary investigation revealed that the patient purchased the slimming product through a social media network platform. The DH’s investigation is continuing.
 
     Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk. Phenolphthalein was once used to treat constipation, but has been banned in Hong Kong for its cancer-causing effect.
 
     The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or consume products from unknown sources. Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption.
 
     Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control.
 
     The public may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for health messages on overweight problem and slimming products (www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/do/en/consumer/slim.html) and information on slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients (www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/specMedsNews/slimming/en/consumer).
 
     People who have purchased the products may submit them to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the launch ceremony of Harbour Arts Sculpture Park 2018 this afternoon (February 22):
 
     Mr Nelson Leong (Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Centre), Mr Tim Marlow (Co-curator of Harbour Arts Sculpture Park and Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Arts, the UK), Mr Cheung Leong (Executive Director, Charities and Community of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), Ms Kristine Li (Deputy General Manager of Henderson Land Development Company Limited), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Welcome to this wet afternoon extravaganza here. I am honoured to join you all to witness the launch of Hong Kong’s first Harbour Arts Sculpture Park today, which bears testimony to the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s mission to give access to arts to everyone.
 
     Indeed, it is a mission shared by us all. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to creating an environment conducive to arts and cultural development. As an important strategic investment in this respect, the West Kowloon Cultural District project now taking shape on the other side of Victoria Harbour will be developed into an integrated arts and cultural district with world-class facilities befitting Hong Kong’s status as an international arts and cultural metropolis. Various major facilities will be gradually commissioned. In particular, the Xiqu Centre will open by the end of this year; Freespace, scheduled to open in 2019, has been topped out; and the M+ building will also open by late 2019. Furthermore, the Lyric Theatre Complex will be completed around 2021, while the Hong Kong Palace Museum is scheduled for completion in 2022.
 
     Alongside the upgrade in architectural hardware, we will continue to strengthen our cultural software. To enrich people’s cultural life, build audiences, nurture local talent and promote professional development, we organise a variety of quality arts and cultural programmes and activities. The Hong Kong Arts Month will return in March this year, in tandem with other major art fairs including Art Basel, Art Central and Asia Contemporary Art Show.
 
     And today, the highlight of the action is right here on this side of the harbour. The unveiling of the Harbour Arts Sculpture Park will see the Central and Wan Chai harbourfront transformed into a gallery featuring large-scale, museum-quality works of 18 emerging and established local and international artists. The Sculpture Park offers a unique opportunity for the general public to appreciate world-class sculptures against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline and energetic harbour. For Hong Kong people and overseas visitors alike, it will certainly be an impressive experience to rest, stroll, walk, jog along – and stop – to admire the masterpieces in this vibrant urban setting.
 
     As part of our education and outreach efforts, the Sculpture Park features a mobile application with detailed information on each sculpture and a multilingual audio guide in Cantonese, English and Mandarin. Coupled with a spectrum of guided tours, workshops, symposiums and artist residency, the project pools together people from all walks of life to experience how art can be part of our everyday lives.
 
     The Sculpture Park is the fruition of collaboration among government departments, the creative industry and the arts and cultural community. It would not have been possible without the staunch support from all parties. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the remarkable lineup of curators, partners and sponsors for bringing out the best in creativity. I would also like to congratulate very warmly the Hong Kong Arts Centre on the 40th anniversary of its establishment and dedication to the furtherance of arts and cultural development of Hong Kong.
 
     On this encouraging note, I wish the Harbour Arts Sculpture Park a great success and the Hong Kong Arts Centre many, many successful years ahead. Before I close, I also thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Fund for also making a pitch to ensure this event is a success. Thank you so much.

• EUR 30m intermediated loan will improve access of some 150 small and medium-sized companies to leasing services
• EIB funds will support smaller projects in agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and storage

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an intermediated loan agreement of EUR 30 million with Raiffeisen Leasing Bulgaria to finance projects of small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-cap companies. The loan will allow Raiffeisen Leasing Bulgaria to better address the needs of SMEs and mid-caps, which are the backbone of the Bulgarian economy.

The partners expect that the loan will benefit more than 150 companies operating in Bulgaria in agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and storage.

For the EIB, this operation takes forward its long-standing successful cooperation with the Bulgarian subsidiaries of Raiffeisen Bank International going back to 2002. This financial institution has proved to be a strong and reliable partner in intermediated lending, with a well-developed network of branches across Bulgaria and a profound knowledge of the country’s SMEs market.

EIB Vice-President Vazil Hudák said: “Support to SMEs is crucial for further development of the Bulgarian economy. Improved access to long-term financing strengthens the competitiveness of recipient companies that employ 1.5 million Bulgarian citizens and create two thirds of the value added of the Bulgarian economy”.

Dobromir Dobrev, Deputy CEO of Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria), responsible for corporate banking, capital markets and the leasing company, said: “Thanks to our good cooperation with the EIB, we will further expand our support to Bulgarian businesses. So far, the Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria) Group and the EIB have signed global loan transactions for EUR 160 million for the bank and the leasing company. Under this last agreement with the EIB, through Raiffeisen Leasing Bulgaria, we will provide new lease financing in BGN and EUR for a wide range of customers for purchases of equipment, trucks and trailers, light commercial vehicles and passenger car fleets, etc.”

“Raiffeisen Leasing has traditionally supported small and medium-sized Bulgarian companies in their investment activities for over 14 years. This new credit facility from the EIB will enable our clients to enjoy leasing conditions similar to their competitors in Central Europe, and we believe this will not only support their investment plans but will also increase their competitiveness.”  Dobrev added.