The total number of local companies registered under the Companies Ordinance was 1,400,950 by the end of 2018, up 17,004 from the corresponding figure of 2017, according to the statistics released by the Companies Registry today (January 6).
 
     In 2018, a total of 151,739 local companies were newly registered with the Registry, among which 52,962 were incorporated online at the e-Registry (www.eregistry.gov.hk) or via the "CR eFiling" mobile application.
 
     Since March 1, 2018, the Registry has taken up a new role as the licensing authority for trust or company service providers (TCSPs) under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance. A total of 6,150 TCSP licences were granted in 2018, and 323 applications were rejected or withdrawn. In addition, all companies incorporated in Hong Kong are required to maintain up-to-date beneficial ownership information by way of keeping a Significant Controllers Register.
 
     "The new initiatives have brought Hong Kong's regulatory regime for combating money laundering and terrorist financing in line with international requirements as promulgated by the Financial Action Task Force. We have embarked on vigorous site inspection programmes on companies and TCSPs to ensure their compliance with the relevant statutory requirements," the Registrar of Companies, Ms Ada Chung, said.
 
     The number of documents received for filing in 2018 hit a record high of 3,592,892, an increase of 27.07 per cent from 2,827,405 in 2017. "As some company service providers have failed to obtain a licence under the new TCSPs regime, this has caused an influx of documents reporting changes of company secretaries in the year," Ms Chung added.
 
     In 2018, 1,193 non-Hong Kong companies that have newly established a place of business in Hong Kong were registered under the Companies Ordinance, an increase of 16.05 per cent from 1,028 in 2017. The total number of registered non-Hong Kong companies reached 11,061 by the end of 2018, up 6.01 per cent year on year.
 
     The number of charges on assets of companies received for registration in 2018 was 22,058, 3.1 per cent up from 21,394 in 2017. The number of notifications of payments and releases received for registration increased by 7.36 per cent, from 22,945 in 2017 to 24,634 in 2018.
 
     In 2018, a total of 251 prospectuses were registered, an increase of 2.03 per cent from 246 in 2017.
 
     A total of 5,011,937 searches of document image records were conducted using the Registry's electronic search services in 2018, an increase of 13.99 per cent from 4,396,950 in 2017.
 
     For details of the statistics, please visit the "Statistics" section of the Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk).

     When a civil dispute is brought to court, the hearing process can be lengthy and expensive. An affordable alternative to contesting matters in court is through mediation.
 
     Opened in November last year, the West Kowloon Mediation Centre is Hong Kong's first facility dedicated to mediation. The Small Claims Mediation Pilot Scheme was launched at the same time. Both are run by independent co-ordinator the Joint Mediation Helpline Office.
 
     News.gov.hk spoke to the office's Founding Chairman, Chairman and Senior Mediation Consultant to find out about the centre's facilities and the advantages of mediation.

     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (January 6) in both text and video format.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting today (January 6).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

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 of medical wards in public hospitals.  Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (January 5) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.