Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation codenamed "Summer" during the summer holidays at the airport, land boundary, railway and ferry control points in a bid to combat smuggling and other illegal activitie… read more
The Process Review Panel in relation to the Regulation of Mandatory Provident Fund Intermediaries (PRP) published its 2018 Annual Report today (August 31), covering the work of the PRP in the current review cycle, from November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017, the 12 months after the last review.
Welcoming the publication of the 2018 Annual Report, the PRP Chairman, Dr Eddy Fong, said, “In the current review cycle, there were a total of 41 completed conduct cases relating to Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) intermediaries. Among all, the PRP selected 14 cases for detailed review. Leveraging on our members’ professional knowledge, the PRP has made constructive comments and suggestions to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) for enhancing the regulatory regime. I am also pleased to note the MPFA’s favourable response and actions taken in response to the PRP’s recommendations in past Annual Reports.”
Dr Fong added, “I am grateful to the MPFA for co-operating closely with the PRP, and their continuous dedication to perfecting the regulatory regime for MPF intermediaries.”
The 2018 Annual Report has been uploaded to the website of the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau at (www.fstb.gov.hk/fsb/topical/doc/prp_mpfi_2018_e.pdf).
Following the commencement of the statutory regime for the regulation of MPF intermediaries in November 2012, the Chief Executive appointed the PRP in November 2013 to review and advise the MPFA on the adequacy and consistency of its internal procedures and operational guidelines governing its actions and operational decisions in the regulation of MPF intermediaries and associated matters.
The PRP attaches great importance to the views of the public and market participants. Comments relating to the PRP’s work can be referred to the Secretariat of the PRP via email at enq@fstb.gov.hk. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced that in accordance with the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance (the Ordinance), the … read more
The Transport Department (TD) today (August 31) announced that the 37th invitation exercise in the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be launched on September 1.
“Starting from September 1, applications are invited under the 37th invitation exercise for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the department no later than September 30. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot,” a TD spokesman said.
Interested persons should complete and submit the application forms (TD569). Those who possess a digital certificate may also make use of the online application service at the GovHK website (www.gov.hk).
Application forms (TD569) and Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or obtained from the TD’s Licensing Offices as well as the Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department. Completed applications can be put in the drop-in box at any of the TD’s Licensing Offices or posted to Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, Room 506-508, 5/F, Harcourt House, 39 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Applications received by mail will be dated by the postmark. No payment of deposit is required at this stage.
Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application forms. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service at the GovHK webpage at www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/onlineservices.htm.
Each applicant may submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, none of his/her applications will be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.
An acknowledgement will immediately be sent to the applicant upon successful submission of online application. Those who submit the applications by TD569 will receive TD’s acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call the TD hotline at 2804 2600. read more
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (August 31) started inviting eligible elderly persons to apply for an additional 1 000 vouchers under the Second Phase of the Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly.
The SWD will send letters to eligible elderly persons to invite them to join the Scheme. Elderly persons eligible to apply for the vouchers must satisfy the following conditions: (1) having been assessed as moderately or severely impaired under the SWD’s Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services; (2) waitlisted for subsidised community care service (CCS) and/or residential care service (RCS) under the Central Waiting List for Subsidised Long Term Care Services for the Elderly with application dates no later than the end of March 2018; and (3) not receiving any kind of RCS or subsidised CCS.
An SWD spokesman said, “The Government’s elderly policy direction accords priority to the provision of home care and community care, supplemented by residential care. Funding from the Lotteries Fund was allocated to launch the First Phase and Second Phase of the Scheme in September 2013 and October 2016 respectively, which allowed needy elderly persons to receive community care services under the ‘money-following-the-user’ funding approach. Government subsidy was provided directly for eligible elderly persons in the form of voucher so that they could choose the service packages which best suit their needs. To enhance community care and support services, the Government will issue an additional 1 000 vouchers from October 2018, making up a total of 6 000 vouchers.”
The spokesman noted that the voucher value will be expanded to five different voucher values ranging from $3,930 to $9,390 with effect from October 2018 to suit individual needs and choice. Under the “affordable users pay” principle, the less an elderly person can afford, the more the Government will subsidise. The SWD will determine the co-payment level, one of the six categories ranging from 5 per cent to 40 per cent of the voucher service package values, for elderly persons based on their household income.
Currently, 125 Recognised Service Providers (RSPs) have joined the Second Phase of the Scheme, providing a total of about 2 300 day care places and about 3 300 home care places. Voucher holders may choose centre-based service and/or home-based service in accordance with their needs and, if necessary, may use residential respite service.
The SWD spokesman added that for details of the Scheme, the list of RSPs and information on the dates of application for subsidised long-term care services for eligible elderly persons issued with invitation letters, people may visit the SWD website (www.swd.gov.hk). They may also browse the SWD Elderly Information Website (elderlyinfo.swd.gov.hk) for details about the services of each RSP.
Eligible elderly persons or their carers/relatives who have enquiries on the application for the Second Phase of the Scheme or selection of RSPs or service packages may approach the SWD’s Centralised Team of the Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly, or the responsible workers of the elderly persons, for assistance, the spokesman added. The telephone number of the Centralised Team, 3107 3013, will operate from Mondays to Fridays, 9.30am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 5pm, except on public holidays. read more