The Census and Statistics Department has commenced a new round of the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies to collect data on employment and vacancies in major industry sections of the economy in respect of September 2018. This survey is conducted quarterly. The survey results are useful in serving as short-term economic indicators and providing information on the latest changes in the labour market.
           
     This round of the survey covers about 30 000 establishments which are drawn from various industry sections including industrial sections (such as mining and quarrying; manufacturing; and electricity, gas and waste management) and the services sections (such as import/export, wholesale and retail trades; accommodation and food services; transportation, storage, postal and courier services; information and communications; financing and insurance; real estate; professional and business services; and social and personal services). Information on the number of persons engaged and vacancies, together with the characteristics of job vacancies, as at September 28, 2018, will be sought from each selected establishment.
           
     Questionnaires are being sent by mail or by fax to selected establishments. In accordance with the Census and Statistics Ordinance, these establishments are required to complete and return the questionnaires to the department within the specified period. If individual establishments have any difficulties in completing the questionnaires, they may contact the department for assistance at 2234 3800.

     The Census and Statistics Department has commenced a new round of the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies to collect data on employment and vacancies in major industry sections of the economy in respect of September 2018. This survey is conducted quarterly. The survey results are useful in serving as short-term economic indicators and providing information on the latest changes in the labour market.
           
     This round of the survey covers about 30 000 establishments which are drawn from various industry sections including industrial sections (such as mining and quarrying; manufacturing; and electricity, gas and waste management) and the services sections (such as import/export, wholesale and retail trades; accommodation and food services; transportation, storage, postal and courier services; information and communications; financing and insurance; real estate; professional and business services; and social and personal services). Information on the number of persons engaged and vacancies, together with the characteristics of job vacancies, as at September 28, 2018, will be sought from each selected establishment.
           
     Questionnaires are being sent by mail or by fax to selected establishments. In accordance with the Census and Statistics Ordinance, these establishments are required to complete and return the questionnaires to the department within the specified period. If individual establishments have any difficulties in completing the questionnaires, they may contact the department for assistance at 2234 3800.

     A woman was fined $8,000 at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (September 13) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
      
     The courts heard that in September last year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), the Home Affairs Department, inspected a suspected unlicensed guesthouse on Des Voeux Road West in Sai Ying Pun. During the inspection, the OLA officers posed as lodgers and successfully rented a room in the guesthouse on a daily basis.
      
     According to the OLA's record, the guesthouse did not possess a licence under the Ordinance on the day of inspection. The woman responsible for managing the premise was charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Ordinance.
      
     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years' imprisonment.
           
     The spokesman appealed to anyone with information about suspected unlicensed guesthouses to report it to the OLA through the hotline (tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk), or through the mobile application "Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses".

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Saturday (September 15) to facilitate a public procession to be held on Hong Kong Island.

     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 2.30pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Luard Road between Johnston Road and Hennessy Road;
– Westbound Hennessy Road;
– Queensway;
– Rodney Street;
– Eastbound Harcourt Road; and
– Northbound Tim Mei Avenue.

     Vehicles may not be permitted to access or leave car parks along the procession route during the road closure period.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     Beijing-based LaoPu Gold announced today (September 13) that its first Hong Kong store has recently opened, leveraging the city's international status to take its brand and the art of Chinese gold craftsmanship to the global stage.

     The new shop, located at a major shopping centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, showcases a series of meticulously created handcrafted gold jewellery, including gold jewellery, precious collectables and ornaments, plus special collections dedicated for weddings and arrivals of new born babies. Its ancient Chinese gold craftsmanship sets it apart from other jewellery retailers in the city, according to its Vice General Manager, Ms Louisa Tse.

     Ms Tse said that the brand has inherited the filigree and inlay techniques, which are officially classified as part of the intangible cultural heritage of China and were originally used by the imperial courts for making jewellery and ornaments. "Our branded gold jewellery is handcrafted by grand masters, and the items are not only jewellery and art pieces with rich Chinese heritage but comparable to luxurious collectibles. Apart from developing our retail business in the region, we also endeavour to promote our heritage of gold craftsmanship to a global audience through the Hong Kong store."

     She added, "Hong Kong is an international city with a high number of visitors coming from around the world either for business or leisure. It is the best location for us to promote our brand and traditional craftsmanship, and this is our first store outside of Mainland China. We also believe that a physical presence in Hong Kong can help to expand our global business."

     Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Dr Jimmy Chiang welcomed LaoPu Gold's first store in Hong Kong. He said, "Hong Kong's status as an international city has attracted many Mainland companies to set up a presence here, using the city as their springboard to 'go global'. We are happy to see that LaoPu Gold has established its foothold in Hong Kong. We believe our city is the perfect springboard for its global expansion."

About LaoPu Gold

     Established in 2009, LaoPu Gold is a Chinese handcrafted gold jewellery brand that uses ancient Chinese gold craftsmanship techniques to achieve meticulous details. It has six stores in Beijing and one each in Shenzhen, Xi'an, Wuhan and Nanjing. For more information, please visit www.lphj.com.cn.
      
About Invest Hong Kong

     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
      
     For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157699686303991.