The Tourism Commission (TC) announced today (September 26) that after evaluating the operation of the Food Truck Pilot Scheme, the Government has decided to extend the Scheme for two more years to February 2, 2021.
 
     "The Scheme has been operating for about 20 months so far. We observed that the gross revenue of the 15 food trucks varied. Some performed quite well and even opened brick-and-mortar shops. Although the performance of some was just average, the overall situation reflected that there was some room for business for food trucks. Hence, we have decided to extend the Scheme for two more years," a spokesman for the TC said.
 
     In respect of the operating venues, except for AsiaWorld-Expo which will not participate further in the Scheme in light of its development plan, the TC has sought the agreement in principle from the management of all of the other 11 existing operating venues to continue accommodating the 15 food trucks to operate in their venues. Furthermore, the TC will continue to arrange for food trucks to operate at designated mega events organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. 
 
     The spokesman said that since the launch of the Scheme, the TC has rolled out a number of refinement measures with a view to improving the business environment and expanding the operational flexibility of the food trucks. These include introducing new operating venues; providing a more flexible shift arrangement; allowing food trucks to participate in self-identified events; allowing operators to opt whether to operate at the scheduled designated venues; and allowing operators to identify new operating venues for consideration and follow-up by the Government. During the extension period of the Scheme, the TC will continue to look for other new operating venues and explore further refinement measures where practicable. 
 
     The two-year Scheme was launched on February 3 last year with an objective of adding fun and vibrancy to Hong Kong's tourist attractions.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 is 104.9 (up 0.1 against Monday's index).

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (September 26) urged the public to suspend the use of IKEA’s CALYPSO ceiling lamps (date stamps 1625 to 1744), to properly remove the glass shade immediately, and to contact the product supplier, IKEA Hong Kong, for product replacement or refund.

     According to the supplier, the glass shades of the ceiling lamps may pose a potential risk of falling. The supplier has therefore decided to arrange a recall with product replacement or full refund for these batches of products.

     For enquiries, please call the supplier's customer service hotline at 3125 0888 or visit its website (www.IKEA.com.hk).

    

     A man who went missing in Sham Shui Po has been located.

     Lau Lap-sun, aged 18, went missing after he left his residence in Pak Tin Estate on September 23 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     Police located the man on Aberdeen Praya Road yesterday (September 25) afternoon. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) of the Trade and Industry Department will hold a seminar entitled "Secrets on Enterprise Human Capital Management" on October 3 (Wednesday).
 
     Successful companies are good not just at financial management but also at human capital management. In recent years, the unemployment rate has remained at a low level with different industries all looking for talented individuals. Due to resource constraints, it is difficult for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to compete for talent using favorable terms. Instead, they have to master human capital management to avoid talent loss and undesirable impact on business development. This seminar has invited three business executives to share the secrets and practical experience of human capital management. Representative of the Employees Retraining Board will also introduce their free services for SMEs.
 
     The speakers will include the Manager (Industry Services) of Employees Retraining Board, Mr Herman Kung; the Head of Talent Management of JTH Group, Mr Tommy Lo; the Deputy Head of Learning & Development of Swire Resources Limited, Ms Leona Tse; and the Chairman of Success Base Group, Mr Ringo Ng.
 
     The seminar will be held at 2.30pm in the Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay (MTR Tin Hau Station, Exit B). The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission is free.
 
     Those interested are invited to register with SUCCESS by October 2 (Tuesday). Please visit the SUCCESS website (www.success.tid.gov.hk/tid/eng/activity/activity.jsp) for details of the seminar and online registration. The registration form can also be downloaded from the SUCCESS website. Please send the completed registration form to SUCCESS by fax (2391 7375). Due to limited seating capacity, seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     For enquiries, please call 3403 6111.