The Government today (June 21) announced the appointment of Dr Dennis Ng Wang-pun to succeed Professor Eric Yim Chi-ming as Chairman of the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (HKECIC) Advisory Board for a term of two years from July 1, 2019 until June 30, 2021.

     Commenting on the appointment, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said, "With his rich commercial experience and active participation in public services, I am confident that Dr Ng will ably lead the HKECIC in the continued provision of professional export credit insurance services to Hong Kong exporters under the current challenging business environment."

     Mr Yau expressed his gratitude to Professor Yim for his tremendous contribution in leading the HKECIC. 

     "Under the leadership of Professor Yim, the HKECIC has introduced various new services and different special enhanced measures to assist Hong Kong exporters, especially SMEs, to sustain their businesses and develop new markets amidst the uncertain global economy," he said.

     Dr Ng is currently the President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, and in this capacity is an ex-officio member of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
     
     The meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Transport originally scheduled for today (June 21) at 10.45am has been cancelled.

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 (June 21) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Central Tender Board has announced that due to blockage of public access to the Government Secretariat Tender Box (GSTB) at ground floor of the East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong, the closing time for tenders which should originally be received through the GSTB by noon today (June 21) is extended to 5pm today (June 21), and such tenders have to be deposited into Government Logistics Department Tender Box (GLDTB) located on the ground floor of North Point Government Offices at 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong instead.
   
     Tenderers may wish to check in advance the route to the GLDTB and allow sufficient time to make arrangements to deposit their tenders into the GLDTB before the revised closing time of tenders. Late tenders will not be accepted. Tenders already deposited in GSTB will not be affected.

     For enquiries, please call 2810 2497 or 2231 5105 between 9am and 6pm today.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 21) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.