The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 is 104.1 (up 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     In response to the Japanese Government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on September 2 to noon today (September 3), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 168 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24, 2023, to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 81 285 samples of food imported from Japan (including 52 036 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 18 700 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     To strengthen the connection and exchange between talent and the local community and people from all walks of life, Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) today (September 3) launched the Talentâ�º Volunteer Programme with a launching ceremony. The ceremony was officiated by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Director of HKTE, Mr Anthony Lau; the Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS), Ms Melissa Pang, and representatives of participating organisations.
    
     HKTE will serve as the co-ordinator of the programme and will work closely with the AVS and various non-governmental organisations, designated partners and corporations to provide diverse volunteer service opportunities for talent, enabling them to contribute to society by making full use of their expertise and interests.

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Sun said that the aim of the programme is to connect talent with the community by showcasing their care and concern to the community through volunteer work. He added that the Government hopes incoming talent can deepen their understanding of the community and enhance communication with local people by participating in volunteer services. It can also help them expand their social networks and better integrate into Hong Kong, contributing to the community while living and working in harmony and satisfaction.
    
     Ms Pang said that the AVS has been developing partnerships across sectors of the community to promote volunteer participation in various types of voluntary services. To capitalise on the expertise and skills of volunteers, the AVS's volunteer services range from community services to support for international and mega events. She welcomes talent to join voluntary services to bring positive energy to every corner of society.
 
     Christian Action Hong Kong (CAHK) is one of the partner organisations of the programme. The Executive Director of CAHK, Mrs Cheung-Ang Siew Mei, also welcomes incoming talent to join the volunteer community, as their diverse backgrounds align well with the organisation's wide range of service needs.
 
     Also officiating at the event were the Chairman of Hong Kong Quality And Talent Migrants Association, Mr Loman Luo, and the Chairman of Gangpiaoquan Culture Communication Limited, Mr Raymond Zhao, who expressed their support for the Talentâ�º Volunteer Programme. They will actively encourage members of their respective associations to participate in the programme, believing that volunteer services can help talent integrate into the community during their leisure time, thereby contributing to society and broadening their social circles by making new friends.
 
     Incoming talent interested in participating in volunteer services may refer to HKTE's social media platform and website, or may contact HKTE via email (enquiry@hkengage.gov.hk).

          

     In anticipation of the progressive completion of Light Public Housing (LPH) projects for intake, the Housing Bureau (HB) announced today (September 3) the launch of the Trial Scheme on Special Allowance for Households of Light Public Housing (Trial Scheme) to assist LPH households in need to adapt to the new neighbourhood more quickly.

     The Trial Scheme provides a one-off special allowance for households of LPH to alleviate the pressure arising from expenditures during removal and adaptation to the new living environment and community (such as children's school transfer, purchasing furniture and electrical appliances, re-establishing community networks). There is no restriction on the use of the allowance so as to allow households to meet their own needs in a more flexible manner.
 
      The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, shared this good news during a visit to the mock-up units for the Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long LPH today. The visit was joined by around 70 members of the public who are interested in knowing more about and applying for LPH. She said, "As the households moving into LPHs are lower-income grassroots with most urgent housing needs who may not be able to afford the expenses arising from removal, the HB has successfully applied to the Commission on Poverty (CoP) for a funding of $89.88 million from the Community Care Fund, with a view to providing the households with timely support. It is estimated that the Trial Scheme will benefit as many as 21 000 households."

      The amount of allowance depends on the number of family members living together in the household and the location of the LPH. The amounts of allowances are listed in the table below:
 

 
     The Trial Scheme is targeted at households who have successfully applied for and moved into the first eight LPH projects to be completed (i.e. Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long; Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok; Area 3A, Tsing Fuk Lane, Tuen Mun; Olympic Avenue, Kai Tak; Sheung On Street, Chai Wan; The Mission Covenant Church Holm Glad No. 2 Primary School, Kwun Tong; Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Ma Kam Chan Memorial Primary School (Choi Yuen Annex), Sheung Shui; and former St. Joseph's Anglo-Chinese School, Kowloon Bay). Subject to the response to and implementation of the Trial Scheme, the HB will consider applying to the CoP for extension of this two-year scheme to cover the remaining LPH projects in due course.
 
     Households which have submitted applications for LPH with the need for the special allowance may, upon acceptance of the offer and passing the eligibility verification, apply for the Trial Scheme through the operator of the respective LPH projects. The households receiving the allowance will be required to reside in the unit for at least one year. Those who have already benefited under the Trial Scheme on Special Allowance for Households of Transitional Housing will not be granted the special allowance for LPH.

     Ms Ho added, "The project teams of the HB and the Architectural Services Department are making every effort to take forward the LPH projects. The first two projects at Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long and Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok are expected to be available for intake starting from Q1 2025. I appeal to all eligible persons who would like to move into LPH to submit their application as soon as possible, if they have not yet done so, and take the step towards improving the living environment for themselves and their families."
 
      Details of the Trial Scheme will be uploaded onto the LPH website of the HB (www.hb.gov.hk/eng/lph). For enquiries, please call the Trial Scheme on Special Allowance for Households of Light Public Housing hotline at 3464 0811, or send email to lphtssa@hb.gov.hk.

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
*"Pro rata ratio" refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant's tendered amount at the "highest yield accepted" level.

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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning September 9, 2024: