The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, today (June 24) updated the business community in Canada during a webinar on Hong Kong's latest developments and advantages in doing business, which make the city an ideal gateway for businesses and investment in Mainland China and the Asia Pacific region for Canadian enterprises.

     In his opening remarks, Mr Yau reassured participants that despite the disruption brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic, Hong Kong would rise again to the challenges with its unique advantages such as a free and open economy, the rule of law and judicial independence. Citing the World Investment Report 2021 just released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in which Hong Kong is ranked the third largest destination for foreign direct investment in 2020 globally, up from the fifth position the year before and logging US$119 billion of inward investments, he said the results demonstrate that Hong Kong remains an attractive place for investment.

     He pointed out that the National People's Congress Decision on the national security legislation has put Hong Kong back on its right track and ensured its long-term stability and prosperity. In addition, there are ample development opportunities for Hong Kong with the support of the Central Government as stated in the 14th Five-Year Plan, and illustrated during the past two years since the promulgation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     Driven by a strong recovery in trade and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's continued investment, Hong Kong's economy in the first quarter of 2021 rebounded strongly, recording year-on-year real growth of 7.9 per cent and an increase of 5.4 per cent over the preceding quarter.

     Mr Yau also spoke on Hong Kong's strategy in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that the HKSAR Government has been sparing no effort in putting the local epidemic situation under control and promoting vaccination in the community. He added that four rounds of relief measures have been progressively implemented to help businesses to stay afloat and keep workers in employment. As the epidemic situation is easing in Hong Kong, he said it is now an opportune time for Canadian enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong or expand their existing business in the city.

     Hong Kong and Canada have well-established connections, spanning from business and commerce to social and cultural ties. Hong Kong was Canada's 10th largest merchandise export market with merchandise imports from Canada to Hong Kong amounting to $11.1 billion in 2019.

     As part of the 2021 Hong Kong Week programme organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) to showcase Hong Kong's strengths, advantages and potential to Canada, the webinar was co-organised by Toronto ETO and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA). It was moderated by the National Chair of the HKCBA, Mr Arthur Chan, and featured a question-and-answer session in which Mr Yau exchanged views with participants on topics including the HKSAR Government's policies and support for the business sectors, as well as the city's anti-epidemic measures.

  

     Hongkong Post announced today (June 24) that no mail delivery and no mail collection will be provided on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day, July 1 (Thursday). Thirty-eight philatelic offices will be open from 9am to 2pm for the issue of "The 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China" commemorative stamps and the provision of general postal services. In accordance with the usual practice, mail posted on the public holiday will be processed on the following working day. 
      
     For more information, members of the public may visit Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk or call the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline at 2921 2222.

     A Government spokesman said today (June 24) that the Air Pollution Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Commencement) Notice, which seeks to appoint January 1, 2022, as the day on which the Air Pollution Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (the Amendment Ordinance) comes into operation, was approved by the Legislative Council yesterday (June 23).
 
     The Amendment Ordinance tightens three air quality objectives (AQOs), namely the 24-hour AQO for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and the annual and 24-hour AQOs of fine suspended particulates (FSP/PM2.5) stipulated in Schedule 5 to the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) (Cap. 311) (see Annex). Furthermore, the Amendment Ordinance provides a transitional arrangement for designated projects with Environmental Permits (EPs) granted under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) before January 1, 2022. For these projects, the AQOs that took effect on January 1, 2014, will be applicable to an application for a variation of the EPs lodged within 36 months of the commencement of the new AQOs.
 
     In accordance with the APCO, a review of the AQOs must be carried out at least once every five years. The Government is embarking on the next AQOs review to explore the scope for further tightening such objectives. The review will be completed by 2023.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department today (June 24) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from July 1 to July 31, 2021, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts of the dedicated LPG filling stations.
 
     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on July 1, 2021, reflects the movement of the LPG international price in June 2021. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations will range from $3.37 to $3.93 per litre, representing an increase of $0.19 per litre.
      
     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a specified pricing formula. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price is the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on the first day of February every year according to the movement in the Composite Consumer Price Index in the previous year.
      
     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in July 2021 are as follows:
 

     The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price of each dedicated LPG filling station have been uploaded to the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk. They are also posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.
      
     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the "What's New" section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department today (June 24) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from July 1 to July 31, 2021, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts of the dedicated LPG filling stations.
 
     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on July 1, 2021, reflects the movement of the LPG international price in June 2021. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations will range from $3.37 to $3.93 per litre, representing an increase of $0.19 per litre.
      
     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a specified pricing formula. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price is the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on the first day of February every year according to the movement in the Composite Consumer Price Index in the previous year.
      
     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in July 2021 are as follows:
 

     The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price of each dedicated LPG filling station have been uploaded to the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk. They are also posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.
      
     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the "What's New" section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.