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Exchange Fund Bills tender results

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

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

Tender date : January 19, 2021
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q2103
Issue date : January 20, 2021
Maturity date : April 21, 2021
Amount applied : HK$137,995 MN
Amount allotted : HK$55,549 MN
Average yield accepted : 0.06 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 0.08 PCT
Pro rata ratio* : About 27 PCT
Average tender yield : 0.10 PCT
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Tender date : January 19, 2021
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : H2132
Issue date : January 20, 2021
Maturity date : July 21, 2021
Amount applied : HK$53,530 MN
Amount allotted : HK$17,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 0.07 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 0.08 PCT
Pro rata ratio* : About 26 PCT
Average tender yield : 0.10 PCT
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Tender date : January 19, 2021
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Y2185
Issue date : January 20, 2021
Maturity date : January 19, 2022
Amount applied : HK$31,020 MN
Amount allotted : HK$5,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 0.10 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 0.10 PCT
Pro rata ratio* : About 56 PCT
Average tender yield : 0.13 PCT
 
*”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 – January 25, 2021:
 
Tender date : January 26, 2021
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q2104
Issue date : January 27, 2021
Maturity date : April 28, 2021
Tenor : 91 Days
Amount on offer : HK$33,417 MN
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Tender date : January 26, 2021
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : H2133
Issue date : January 27, 2021
Maturity date : July 28, 2021
Tenor : 182 Days
Amount on offer : HK$11,800 MN
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East Asia

Hong Kong Customs detects largest-ever counterfeit face mask case (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation against counterfeit face masks on January 14 and seized about 330 000 suspected counterfeit medical-grade face masks intended to be transshipped overseas via Hong Kong, with an estimated market value of about $8.5 million. In terms of both quantity or seizure value, this case has surpassed two similar cases involving about 100 000 suspected counterfeit medical-grade face masks detected on October 28 and November 3 last year, and has become the largest-ever suspected counterfeit face mask case detected by Customs.

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a batch of suspected counterfeit face masks would be transshipped overseas via Hong Kong. After an investigation with the assistance of the trademark owner, Customs took enforcement action on the above-mentioned date and raided a logistics company in Kwai Chung where the batch of suspected counterfeit medical-grade face masks were seized.

     Initial investigations revealed that the batch of face masks has not entered the local retail market. It was believed that unscrupulous merchants intended to transship the batch of masks overseas for sale and profit. Customs is looking into the source of the face masks involved in the case. Samples have also been sent to a laboratory for a safety test.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trade mark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Customs has conducted a territory-wide special operation codenamed “Guardian” since January 27 last year to conduct spot checks and enforcement operations on common protective items. More than 6 400 officers have been mobilised to conduct nearly 40 000 inspections at retail spots. Investigations have been conducted against 24 cases of suspected violations of the TDO and 13 cases of suspected violations of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO). Eighty-eight persons have been arrested so far and goods suspected of violating the law including about 6.23 million surgical masks, 317 bottles of disinfectant alcohol and 23 bottles of normal saline have been seized.

     The “Guardian” operation will continue and Customs will carry on its high-profile law enforcement to combat and prevent violation of relevant ordinances. Customs will also maintain close contact with trademark owners in monitoring the market situation with a view to proactively combating counterfeit protective items.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the TDO or the CGSO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Photo  
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East Asia

Special work arrangements for government employees to be extended

     In view of the local epidemic situation, it is necessary for the Government to continue to take measures to reduce the flow of people and social contact in order to stop COVID-19 from spreading in the community. A spokesman for the Government announced today (January 19) that the special work arrangements for government employees will be extended until January 27. Save for those involved in the provision of emergency services and essential public services and in anti-epidemic efforts, all other government employees will be arranged to continue to work from home. The Government will closely monitor the epidemic situation and review the arrangements before January 27.
      
     “The Government appeals to members of the public for their understanding on the inconvenience caused by the reduction in public services in view of the epidemic. However, individual departments, having regard to the latest demand for their services, will make suitable arrangements and announcements separately. The Government’s ultimate goal is to resume full public services when conditions permit,” the spokesman said.
      
     The spokesman appealed to members of the public, where necessary, to use alternative means, such as post, drop-in boxes or online channels, to receive the services they need. Meanwhile, members of the public should wear surgical masks at all times when they are entering or are present in any government buildings or offices, and comply with the infection control measures implemented by relevant departments including temperature checks, using the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app and crowd control arrangements.
      
     “The Government will take appropriate measures to further safeguard the health and safety of government employees. Starting from January 21, if a staff member is confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, all staff working on the same floor and those who have worked with the staff member concerned (despite not being on the same floor), must undergo COVID-19 testing as soon as possible within a prescribed period. They are also required to work from home until their testing results are confirmed negative. If the testing arrangements concerned affect the provision of public services, the bureaux or departments concerned will make public announcements as soon as possible. Meanwhile, relevant bureaux and departments are making preparations to arrange regular testing for their front-line staff and staff of high-risk work so as to identify asymptomatic patients as soon as possible,” the spokesman said.
      
     The spokesman also appealed to employers to allow their staff members to work from home as far as possible according to their operational needs so as to reduce the flow of people and social contact in the community. read more

East Asia