The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
 
     The Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) today (March 12) issued the following statement:
 
     The ExCo Non-official Members strongly support and warmly welcome the passage of the Decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC). Through the improvement of the electoral system, the Decision can get Hong Kong back on the right track of the principle of "One Country, Two Systems", and is therefore conducive to the long-term prosperity and stability of the city.
 
     The ExCo Non-official Members believe that plugging the loopholes institutionally will help Hong Kong deal with its internal rift effectively, thereby ensuring the full and faithful application of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in Hong Kong. The ExCo Non-official Members will render their full support to and co-operate with the HKSAR Government in enacting the relevant local legislation to ensure that the NPC's Decision can be implemented as soon as possible. 

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, March 12, 2021 is 101.4(same as yesterday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital made the following announcement today (March 12):
 
     Five male patients (aged 67 to 93) in a medicine and geriatrics ward have been confirmed to be carriers of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) since March 3. Four patients are now being treated under isolation and are in stable condition. The remaining patient has been discharged earlier.
 
     Following the activation of the Emergency Response Level in public hospitals, the visiting arrangement for the ward has been suspended. The following enhanced infection control measures have been adopted according to established guidelines:
 
1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward.
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     French haute parfumerie Henry Jacques announced today (March 12) the opening of its first boutique in Hong Kong, as part of its ongoing expansion plan to extend the company's legacy in Asia, following openings in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
      
     The about 460-square-foot new stand-alone boutique is located at a large shopping mall in West Kowloon, which is well connected to major transportation hubs in Hong Kong. The newly opened boutique provides bespoke perfume consultation services, including the brand's eponymous signature fragrance collection, as well as a range of carefully curated artisanal perfumes specifically put together for its Asian clientele.
      
     Henry Jacques embodies almost half a century of unique craftsmanship and creativity. The new boutique was entirely conceived and assembled in France using old solid oak wood, then vacuum-packed and re-assembled in Hong Kong. Anne-Lise Cremona, Chief Executive Officer and daughter of the founder, Henry Cremona, oversaw the entrance of the business into retail, hence the beginning of its expansion in bringing scents from its library of 3,000 and more in-house creations to a wider audience.
      
     Hong Kong is an international city with a strong presence of high net worth individuals, sophisticated clients and a reputation for excellent customer services. The boutique's connectivity with the airport and high-speed rail in a large shopping mall makes it an ideal location for the company to expand its clientele in the region, as well as to introduce the brand to Mainland consumers.
      
     Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Dr Jimmy Chiang applauded the opening of Henry Jacques in Hong Kong. He said, "We welcome the new arrival of the brand to our well-established French business community in Hong Kong. It is a vote of confidence in Hong Kong's retail sector. We wish Henry Jacques every success in their business in Hong Kong and beyond."
      
About Henry Jacques
      
     Founded in 1975 in the suburb of Grasse in southern France, the story of Henry Jacques breathes the very essence of its founder, Henry Cremona, an unrestrained and refined man, a world traveller who drew on his childhood, wanderlust and dreams of faraway lands to feed his inexhaustible passion for perfumes. Today, Henry Jacques continues to impart its rich heritage and legacy with its deep-rooted family traditions to produce decent and unique perfumes, coupled with modernity and innovation. For more information about Henry Jacques, please visit parfumshenryjacques.com.
      
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. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
      
     For photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157718600624993.

    

     The Government announced today (March 12) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Joseph Luc Ngai, Ms Winnie Tam Wan-chi and Professor Alexander Wai Ping-kong as members of the Independent Commission on Remuneration for Members of the Executive Council and the Legislature, and Officials under the Political Appointment System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for a period of three years with effect from April 1, 2021.

     "We would like to thank the outgoing members, Professor Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon, Ms Lau Ka-shi and Ms Elaine Lo Yuen-man, for their invaluable contributions to the work of the Independent Commission over the years," a Government spokesman said.

     The Independent Commission advises the Government on matters relating to the systems of remuneration for Members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, as well as those for officials under the Political Appointment System. The Chairman of the Independent Commission is Mr Carlson Tong and the other members are Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung and Ms Winnie Wong Chi-shun.