Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Land Registry releases statistics for March——————-
* The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in March was 6 661 (+54.7 per cent compared with February 2025 and +32.9 per cent compared with March 2024)————-
* The number of searches of land registers made by the public in March was 393 010 (+16.3 per cent compared with February 2025 and +7.0 per cent compared with March 2024)Issued at HKT 15:00
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A relatively dry and mild March
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
A relatively dry and mild March
The northeast monsoon over the coast of Guangdong was gradually replaced by a relatively dry easterly airstream on March 8. While it was mainly cloudy with one or two light rain patches that morning, there were sunny periods that afternoon and in the following two days. With a band of clouds covering the coast of Guangdong, the weather became mainly cloudy from March 11 to 12, with one or two rain patches on March 12. Winds were weak over the coast of Guangdong on March 13. Locally, it was hot with sunny periods. With a humid easterly airstream affecting the coast of Guangdong the next day, the weather turned mainly cloudy with one or two light rain patches. Visibility was rather low in some areas and once fell to around 1 000 metres in the harbour.
With a trough of low pressure over inland Guangdong developing into a cold front and moving across the coastal areas on March 15, heavy showers and severe squally thunderstorms ahead of the cold front brought around 20 millimetres of rainfall and violent gusts to many places in Hong Kong that afternoon. Hail was even reported at Tai Po. Under the influence of the associated northeast monsoon, the weather became drier and cooler in the following six days. There were sunny periods on March 16. Affected by a band of clouds covering southern China, it became cloudier with one or two rain patches on the next two days. With the departure of the band of clouds and the influence of an anticyclone aloft, the weather turned fine and dry from March 19 to 25. Under the influence of a southerly airstream, the weather became relatively humid with rising temperatures from March 26 to 28. There were fog patches and the weather was hot on March 28. The temperatures at the Observatory rose to a maximum of 29.4 degrees that afternoon, the highest of the month. A cold front moved across the coast of southern China that evening and brought a few rain patches and significantly cooler weather to Hong Kong that night and the following two days. Under the persistent influence of the associated northeast monsoon, the last two days of the month remained cold in the morning.
There was no tropical cyclone over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in March 2025.
Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for March are tabulated in Table 2.
Issued at HKT 15:00
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LCQ4: Education and talent development planning
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Professor the Hon Lau Chi-pang and a reply by the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, in the Legislative Council today (April 2):
Question:
It has been reported that the director of the film Ne Zha 2 chose to abandon a career in pharmacy in order to pursue his passion for animation production, ultimately achieving remarkable success. There are views that his story offers profound insights for education and talent development planning in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as it is learnt that many university students currently choose to pursue careers in fields unrelated to their major, whether the Government will consider providing students with more macro and comprehensive information at the stage of subject selection in secondary schools and in life planning education, so as to deepen students’ understanding of relevant disciplines and professions and help them explore their interests and give play to their strengths; if so, of the specific plans; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) as there are views that a large creative team and talent pool are important factors contributing to the success of the aforesaid film, whether the Government will further strengthen the training and guidance on creative thinking for students in the curricula of primary and secondary schools; if so, of the specific plans; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) as there are views pointing out that Hong Kong’s current education system places too much emphasis on assessment and examination preparation, which is not conducive to the development of students’ creative thinking, whether the Government has plans to make improvements; if so, of the specific plans; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Quality education is the key to nurturing talent, and is essential for the continuous development of the society. In the face of a complicated and ever-changing global environment, fostering creativity in students is crucial for their future development. As such, through kindergarten, primary and secondary education curricula, the Education Bureau (EDB) has continuously integrated elements that nurture creative thinking, facilitating students’ holistic development and enabling those with diverse interests, abilities and backgrounds to fully unleash their potential.
Regarding the question raised by Professor the Hon Lau Chi-pang, I will respond in four aspects including school curricula, student activities and competitions, latest developments in the modes of assessment, and life planning education (LPE):
(1) to (3) Nurturing creativity throughout the primary and secondary curricula
The school curriculum developed by the EDB in collaboration with the Curriculum Development Council consists of components including knowledge, generic skills, values and attitudes. Creativity is one of the generic skills which emphasises students’ demonstration of creative thinking in new ideas or products grounded on a solid knowledge foundation. Students are required to integrate knowledge, discern details from observation, synthesise and apply knowledge, be eager to explore, display perseverance and commitment in the face of difficulties, and solve problems with creative thinking.
To dovetail with the national strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, the EDB is proactively promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and innovation and technology (I&T) education in primary and secondary schools. By integrating and applying knowledge and skills in science, mathematics and technology, students develop their capabilities of innovation and problem-solving through the process of knowledge creation and I&T inventions.
At the same time, the EDB has reformed Science Education by introducing Primary Science and updating the junior secondary Science curriculum. A programme on artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted teaching has also been launched in junior secondary Science to foster pedagogical innovation. Moreover, we actively promote I&T education at the upper primary and junior secondary levels, such as teaching programming and AI learning to strengthen the cultivation of students’ innovative and problem-solving skills so that they can adapt to the ever-changing world.
As for other Key Learning Areas, Arts Education promotes arts technology and interdisciplinary learning, and Personal, Social and Humanities Education promotes “entrepreneurial spirit”, both of which cover the qualities of creativity and innovativeness. At present, there are 55 Applied Learning courses offered at the senior secondary level, of which courses under the Areas of Studies “Creative Studies” and “Media and Communication” place particular emphasis on nurturing students’ creativity. Courses such as Computer Game and Animation Design, and Film Production are specifically designed for students interested in creativity and the media. In the 2024/25 school year, a total of 3 932 students enrolled in the related courses under “Creative Studies” and “Media and Communication”, reflecting that the courses are popular among students.
Unleashing students’ innovative potential through diversified activities
In recent years, Hong Kong students have had outstanding performances beyond the classroom in various fields, such as science and technology, and creative thinking, etc. Much to our delight, they bring glory to Hong Kong with remarkable achievements in international or major competitions, such as the International Mathematical Science and Creativity Competition, Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.
The EDB also provides diversified activities to offer students with more opportunities to unleash their creativity. We also arrange for students with potential in STEAM to participate in systematic training and competitions of a considerable scale, and they have thrived and flourished on international stages time and again. The EDB also continues to collaborate with the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education to promote the effective use of the “school-based student talent pool”, so as to identify students who are gifted in different areas. At the same time, we arrange for students to engage in exchanges with arts and cultural specialists from the Mainland, so that students can gain an understanding of the country’s development and outstanding achievements.
Developing students’ potential by integrating creativity into assessment
Assessment is an integral part of the curriculum and learning and teaching. Students’ performance both within and beyond the classroom can reflect their learning progress and inform learning and teaching. The current assessment policy no longer relies solely on the conventional modes of assessment, but employs diversified formative assessments to promote student learning on all fronts and stimulate their learning motivation and curiosity. We have always recommended schools to adopt diversified assessment modes and assignment designs that allow students to demonstrate their learning outcomes and unleash their creativity in the forms of text, images, physical models and others.
The EDB continues to organise professional training activities for teachers and develop learning and teaching resources to support teachers in designing assessments and assignments. We also encourage schools to review and optimise their assessment policies, so as to enable students to participate in more inspiring learning activities and develop their potential.
Starting life planning early in age to understand aspirations
To help students understand early their own aspirations, interests and abilities, and develop a broader view of further studies, future careers and pathways, the EDB has strengthened LPE at primary and secondary levels.
Regarding information on subject choices, the EDB organises talks for parents annually and updates the website “One-stop Portal on Articulation to Multiple Pathways·Transition to Senior Secondary and Post-secondary Education” to disseminate the latest information on elective subjects and multiple pathways.
In addition, through the Life Planning Information website, the EDB provides the latest career information of over 300 types of work from different industries, including director and stage designer, etc. On the website, there is also an online learning system, “My Life Planning Portfolio”, for students to conduct career aptitude assessments.
The EDB also implements the Business-School Partnership Programme (BSPP) in collaboration with different business corporations, government departments and community organisations. Through the non-traditional learning platform provided by BSPP partners, students have been provided with diversified career exploration activities, with a view to equipping them with knowledge and information about different industries, including arts, culture and entertainment industries. In the 2022/23 school year, the EDB further promoted co-operation between the business sector and schools through launching the BSPP 2.0 with more business partners, covering more industries for widening students’ exposure. Holiday Work Experience Programmes arranged under the BSPP 2.0 enable senior secondary students to gain first-hand experience and understand different industries, including animation production and performing arts industries. Study tours to workplaces under the “Greater Bay Area Career Exploration Tours” Programme also deepen students’ understanding of the developments and talent needs of various industries in the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area.
To conclude, the EDB will continue to optimise the curriculum and collaborate with different stakeholders to nurture students’ creativity through diversified strategies, with a view to cultivating talent for our society.
Thank you, President.
LCQ5: Functions of Radio Television Hong Kong and the Information Services Department
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ5: Functions of Radio Television Hong Kong and the Information Services Department
Radio Television Hong Kong and the Information Services Department are government departments under the purview of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau respectively. There are views that the aforesaid two departments, both being official media agencies, have overlapping functions. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the specific functions and staff establishment of the two departments;
(2) whether it will, under the financial philosophy of keeping the expenditure within the limits of revenues while exploring new sources of income and managing costs, review how the structure of the two departments can be streamlined to reduce expenditure; and
(3) whether it has explored ways to further enhance the compatibility of the two departments and the feasibility of their merger; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Information Services Department (ISD), our consolidated reply to the question raised by Dr the Hon Junius Ho is as follows:
As a government department and the only public service broadcaster in Hong Kong, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) firmly implements the public purposes and mission under the Charter of RTHK, including promoting understanding of “one country, two systems”, proactively assisting in strengthening the dissemination of government information, engendering a sense of citizenship and national identity, and promoting sports and culture and social inclusion. RTHK currently operates five digital television channels and eight AM/FM radio channels. Unlike commercial broadcasters, programmes produced and broadcast by RTHK have to cater for the needs of the mass audience as well as the minority groups including ethnic minorities and the non-Chinese speaking group etc. In this connection, apart from disseminating government information, the radio and television programmes of RTHK also cover various aspects including news, public affairs, national education, sports, culture, lifestyle and education programmes etc.
As for the ISD, it is responsible for the Government’s public relations, news dissemination, publicity and publication matters, and serves as a communication link between the Government and mass media including newspapers, television, radio, and magazines. The ISD also makes good use of the Internet, disseminating government information to the public directly by multi-media content so as to enhance the public’s understanding of and support for the Government’s work. In addition, the ISD also provides professional public relations advice to the Government and promotes government policies and services through different communication platforms and means (including RTHK), with a view to projecting an accurate image of Hong Kong within and outside the city while telling the good stories of Hong Kong.
In view of the above, although RTHK and the ISD are both government departments and both carry the responsibility of disseminating government information, RTHK, as the public service broadcaster; and the ISD, being responsible for the Government’s public relations, perform different duties. There is no overlapping of their functions. As regards staff establishment, the establishment ceilings of RTHK and the ISD in 2024-25 are 762 and 451 posts respectively. Most of the civil service posts of RTHK belong to the Programme Officer grade while most of the civil service posts of the ISD belong to the Information Officer grade. The requirements for work nature, skills and experience of the two grades are different and hence merging the two departments with distinct functions may not be the most effective way to increase revenue and reduce expenditure in terms of overall operations. In addition, regardless of whether the merge would be implemented by having the Director of Information Services or the Director of Broadcasting to oversee both the ISD and RTHK, it would be difficult for the head of the merged department to manage the work of the two departments of which their missions, scopes of services and modes of operation are distinctly different. On the contrary, the merge may confuse the public with the role of RTHK as a public service broadcaster and the ISD in promoting the Government, which may be counterproductive to the Government’s overall public relations works.
Notwithstanding the above, in response to the Productivity Enhancement Programme announced in the 2025-26 Budget, both RTHK and the ISD will comprehensively review their staffing and operation. In particular, RTHK will introduce appropriate measures including streamlining its structure and utilising technology for programme production etc to reduce manpower without affecting the quality of RTHK’s programmes and services. At present, RTHK has been committed to deploying artificial intelligence (AI) in developing smart broadcasting. Last year, RTHK officially launched the AI Lab, streamlining production flow with AI technology, as well as adopting various AI-generated tools to enhance productivity. This will not only improve the quality of programmes but also result in a more cost-effective use of manpower. Besides, the ISD will continue to make effective use of existing platforms of the Government while keeping in view market developments and global trends to step up the Government’s work in policy promotion and information dissemination. The ISD will also closely monitor the implementation of programmes under its purview and review their effectiveness regularly for the sake of more flexible and effective use of resources.
Despite the different roles of RTHK and the ISD, we agree that the two departments can co-operate with each other and leverage their strengths, to promote government’s policies and disseminate government information more effectively. As such, both sides will continue to strengthen collaboration, for instance, the ISD is actively planning to work with RTHK on programme production under the theme of “Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance” to promote patriotism through storytelling in a vivid manner. RTHK can leverage the ISD’s strength in running a wide range of platforms and make use of those platforms to enhance the reach of its programmes, taking advantage of the synergy to tell good stories of the country and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, RTHK will continue to solidify its role as the public service broadcaster, including striving to strengthen its partnership with different broadcasters in the Mainland and other regions, continuing to produce different types of programmes on various themes in order to provide diversified radio and television programme choices for the public.
Issued at HKT 14:50
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Over 1 Million Resources Hired Through GeM in FY 2024-25
Source: Government of India
Over 1 Million Resources Hired Through GeM in FY 2024-25
GeM Revolutionises Government’s Manpower Outsourcing Service
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 12:20PM by PIB Delhi
Digital procurement platform, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), has achieved a significant milestone by facilitating the hiring of over 1 million manpower resources by government organizations in the current fiscal year (2024-25). This milestone underscores GeM’s commitment to transforming public procurement through transparency, compliance, and efficiency.
Manpower outsourcing of GeM provides government buyers with a seamless solution to hire outsourced resources. Over 33,000 service providers on the platform enable buyers to engage manpower based on diverse criteria, including minimum wages and fixed remuneration. Various skilled and unskilled roles such as Security Personnel, Horticulture Staff, Multi-Tasking Staff, Data Entry Operators, and Facility Management Professionals can be hired through the portal.
Speaking on this achievement, CEO of GeM, Shri Ajay Bhadoo, stated, “GeM has harnessed digital capabilities and has emerged as a one-stop-shop for procurement of all possible services required by government buyers at various levels of administration. Our manpower outsourcing service not only simplifies the hiring process for government organizations but also ensures strict labour compliance through our comprehensive Service Level Agreement.”
Key features of GeM’s manpower outsourcing service include:
- Flexibility to select resources based on skills, profiles, educational qualifications, and experience
- Specialized role categories addressing specific government needs
- Transparent pricing models, including minimum wage and fixed remuneration options
- Comprehensive Service Level Agreement (SLA) framework ensuring legal compliance and clear obligations for all parties
GeM’s adherence with labour laws and regulations ensures that all transactions meet statutory requirements, providing government buyers with peace of mind while engaging outsourced resources.
The milestone of 1 million manpower resources hired through GeM in FY 2024-25 demonstrates the growing trust and adoption of the platform across government sectors.
Established in 2016, GeM provides government buyers with an end-to-end digital platform to carry out public procurement at cost-effective rates. In FY 2019-20, the platform expanded to include services as a separate segment, initially offering basic services like manpower hiring, cab hiring, security services, and cleaning & sanitation services. Over the last five years, GeM has expanded its portfolio to more than 330 services, including complex offerings like drone services, AR/VR services, cloud services, and cybersecurity services.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2117636) Visitor Counter : 64
LCQ12: Promoting the setting up of family offices in Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Jeffrey Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (April 2):
Question:
The Government has proposed in the latest Budget that it will formulate proposals on the preferential tax regimes for funds, single family offices and carried interest, and develop a vibrant ecosystem for family offices. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions for Family-owned Investment Holding Vehicles) Bill 2022 was passed by this Council in 2023, which sought to provide profits tax concessions for family-owned investment holding vehicles managed by single family offices in Hong Kong, whether the authorities have assessed the adequacy of such tax concession measures and their effectiveness in encouraging family offices to establish a business presence in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) as it is learnt that a single family office is not required to apply for any licence under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) if it does not carry on a business of regulated activity in Hong Kong, whether the Government has estimated the number of family offices in Hong Kong which have not applied for such licence; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(3) of the progress and details of the Government’s formulation of proposals on the preferential tax regimes for funds, single family offices and carried interest this year; and
(4) whether it will study encouraging more Mainland high-net-worth individuals to make cross-border investments through family offices set up in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Family office (FO) business is an important segment of the asset and wealth management sector. According to the Asset and Wealth Management Activities Survey 2023 published by the Securities and Futures Commission, the size of private banking and private wealth management business attributed to FOs and private trusts clients reached $1,452 billion as of end-2023, providing huge business opportunities for the asset and wealth management sector and other related professional services. In consultation with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the reply to various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) and (3) The Legislative Council passed the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions for Family-owned Investment Holding Vehicles) Bill 2022 in May 2023, under which family-owned investment holding vehicles managed by single FOs in Hong Kong fulfilling the minimum asset threshold of HK$240 million and substantial activities requirement can enjoy profits tax exemption for qualifying transactions. The Government have maintained communication with the industry to evaluate the effectiveness of the tax concession regime, and announced in the 2025-26 Budget the proposals to further enhance the preferential tax regimes for funds, single FOs and carried interest, including expanding the scope of “fund” under the tax exemption regime, increasing the types of qualifying transactions eligible for tax concessions for funds and single FOs, enhancing the tax concession arrangement on the distribution of carried interest by private equity funds. The Government have completed the industry consultation on the enhancement measures on the preferential tax regimes. The Government are formulating the relevant enhancement measures with financial regulators based on the feedback received. The Government target to work out the details of the proposals by this year and submit the legislative proposals to the Legislative Council for consideration in 2026. If approved, the relevant measures will take effect from the year of assessment 2025/26.
(2) and (4) A single FO is not required to apply for a licence under the Securities and Futures Ordinance if it does not carry on a business of regulated activity in Hong Kong. According to the research findings of the consultant commissioned by InvestHK and publicised in March 2024, there were around 2 700 single FOs operating in Hong Kong as of end-2023, with over half of them set up by ultra-high-net-worth individuals having a wealth of US$50 million or above. Meanwhile, since its establishment in June 2021 up to end-February 2025, the dedicated FamilyOfficeHK team of InvestHK has assisted over 160 FOs to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong (including 135 FOs having set up or expanded their business in Hong Kong after the profits tax exemption regime for single FOs has taken effect), including 98 single FOs and 63 multi-FOs. Currently, around 150 FOs have indicated that they are preparing or have decided to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong as tabulated below by geographical region:
| Region | FOs preparing or having decided to set up or expand business in Hong Kong |
| Mainland and Taiwan, China | 82 |
| Europe and Americas | 34 |
| Asia Pacific and Oceania | 22 |
| Middle East | 9 |
| Total | 147 |
InvestHK will continue to conduct diversified investment promotion activities (e.g. roundtables, seminars, meetings with investors, media interviews and external visits) to proactively reach out and encourage more high-net-worth individuals (including high-net-worth individuals from the Mainland) to set up FOs in Hong Kong. Furthermore, investors from the Mainland currently can make investment in Hong Kong through various mutual access arrangements. The Government has been actively exploring opportunities to introduce further expansion initiatives, including enhancements to the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect has been further enhanced since February 2024 to increase individual investor quota, lower the threshold for participating in the Southbound Scheme, expand the scope of participating institutions, the scope of eligible investment products, and enhance the promotion and sales arrangements. The Government will continue to discuss with financial regulatory authorities in the Mainland on various cross-boundary remittance arrangements, including how to provide more facilitation arrangements while ensuring that the risks are manageable.
LCQ2: Exploring economic, trade and investment opportunities in Latin America
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Martin Liao and a reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, in the Legislative Council today (April 2):
Question:
In November last year, the Hong Kong Government signed a Free Trade Agreement with the Latin American country Peru, and the Chancay Port in Peru, an important project under the Belt and Road Initiative jointly invested by the Chinese and Peruvian enterprises, has also been open for use. Regarding the exploration of economic, trade and investment opportunities between Hong Kong and Latin America, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it will provide Hong Kong businessmen with the latest market information, technical support and consultation services etc, so as to assist them in expanding into the Latin American market; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) how it will assist Hong Kong’s professional services sectors in grasping the development opportunities of the emerging markets in Latin America; and
(3) whether it will step up efforts to attract enterprises from Latin American countries to come to Hong Kong and make use of Hong Kong as the gateway to enter into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and even the entire market of China, so as to expand their businesses; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In response to the question raised by the Hon Martin Liao, I provide below the consolidated reply.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been actively expanding the economic and trade network, and exploring development opportunities in different markets, with particular emphasis on strengthening economic and trade ties with and market development in emerging markets and those of potential in recent years. In 2024, the total merchandise trade between Latin America and Hong Kong amounted to about HK$124.3 billion, representing an increase of 17 per cent when compared with 2023. On services trade, the total trade between the two places amounted to about HK$7.8 billion in 2023, representing an increase of about 24 per cent when compared with 2022. With the good foundation of economic and trade connection the HKSAR Government has built with the Latin America, we will continue to foster closer economic and trade ties with the Latin American region, opening up more trade and investment opportunities for Hong Kong businesses.
As part of our efforts in expanding the economic and trade network, the HKSAR Government strengthens economic co-operation with trading partners, assists Hong Kong enterprises in developing markets and securing better market access, and enhances protection of investors’ overseas investments through forging free trade agreements (FTAs) and investment agreements. Hong Kong signed an FTA and an investment agreement with Chile in 2012 and 2016 respectively, an investment agreement with Mexico in 2020, and an FTA with Peru in 2024. In addition, Hong Kong is exploring with Peru the signing of an investment agreement, and is also proactively seeking to forge FTAs and investment agreements with more trading partners in the Latin American region, with a view to further promoting economic and trade relations between Hong Kong and our major trading partners in the Latin American region.
Hong Kong and Chile have updated their commitments on trade in services under the FTA in recent years. Chile has made commitments in over 50 new service sectors, encompassing priority service sectors in which Hong Kong has traditional strengths or has potential for priority development, such as professional and business services, technical testing and analysis services, convention services, distribution services etc. Relevant Hong Kong services as well as their providers, subject to specific exceptions or conditions, enjoy access to the Chilean market and treatment no less favourable than that for Chile’s local service providers. The updated commitments, which entered into force in 2023, create more opportunities for relevant service providers and investors.
In addition, Hong Kong and Peru signed an FTA in November 2024. Under the FTA, Hong Kong service providers in over 150 services sectors, including professional services, can enjoy legal certainty of better market access and national treatment when operating in Peru. We have been actively conducting a series of publicity and promotional activities (including holding and participating in seminar, reception and exhibition; launching designated webpage; and issuing circulars and promotional leaflets) to introduce the content, benefits and implementation arrangements of the FTA, and encourage Hong Kong’s businesses to grasp the opportunities brought by this FTA, as well as through Peru and our FTA and investment agreement partners including Peru, Chile and Mexico to expand their businesses in the Latin American markets. In the meantime, we have also conveyed the benefits brought by the FTA to Latin American companies by outreaching events to promote collaboration in trade and investment. For instance, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Trade and Industry Department (TID) cohosted a reception for the Ibero-American community on March 13, 2025, promoting further collaboration through, among other initiatives, trade and investment agreements.
Besides, the TID has been closely monitoring the trade development in the Latin American region, issuing circulars regarding the latest policies and measures concerned of the economies there, as well as publishing factsheets on Hong Kong’s commercial relationship with its major trading partners in that region for Hong Kong enterprises. The TID has also established hotline, email account and webpages to assist Hong Kong enterprises in obtaining and inquiring about the relevant information of trading partners in Latin America, including FTAs and investment agreements signed by Hong Kong, helping businesses understand and develop markets in the Latin American region.
Meanwhile, the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) provides funding support for enterprises to develop business in economies with which Hong Kong has signed FTAs and/or investment agreements. The geographical coverage of the BUD Fund covers 40 economies including Chile, Mexico and Peru to further support enterprises in exploring more diversified markets.
To assist Hong Kong enterprises in tapping the markets of Latin America, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has established consultant offices in Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Chile’s Santiago and Mexico’s Mexico City, to support the HKTDC’s local trade promotion activities and business matching services. The HKTDC will continue to leverage its consultant offices in Latin America to provide Hong Kong enterprises with information on the latest developments of Latin America and invite enterprises in Latin America to participate in Hong Kong’s large-scale exhibitions and conferences, in order to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a two-way global investment and business hub.
As for InvestHK, through its teams based in Hong Kong, the Dedicated Teams for Attracting Businesses and Talents based in the Mainland Offices and the overseas Economic and Trade Offices of the HKSAR Government, as well as consultant offices in other locations (including those located in Latin America, namely, Mexico City, Mexico; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; and Lima, Peru), it has all along been reaching out to a wide spectrum of companies in different sectors and industries around the world to attract and assist them to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, and offering one-stop customised support services from the planning to implementation stages.
InvestHK will continue to proactively provide overseas enterprises, including those from Latin America, with the latest information on Hong Kong’s business environment and promote Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world and other core strengths under “one country, two systems”, as well as the immense opportunities brought by key national strategies including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative, with a view to attracting these enterprises to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong and leverage Hong Kong as a springboard to enter the Mainland market. For example, InvestHK plans to visit Medellín, Colombia; Lima, Peru; and Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2025, and co-organise investment promotion activities with local chambers of commerce to strengthen investment promotion work in Latin America.
Owner of chain retail store convicted of engaging in commercial practice involving misleading omission for selling clothes
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
An owner of a chain retail store was convicted of undertaking a commercial practice involving a misleading omission to consumers, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), and was fined $30,000 at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (April 2). A total of 63 pieces of clothes involved in the case were also confiscated.
Customs earlier received information alleging that clothes with suspected false descriptions of the country of origin were put on sale in a chain retail store. Customs officers then test-purchased the clothes from three branches of the store located in Sha Tin and Tseung Kwan O. It was found that the clothes bore two country of origin labels, namely “made in korea” and “MADE IN CHINA”. Customs subsequently took enforcement action against the three branches and seized a total of 63 pieces of clothes, with a value of $9,000, which bore dual places of origin.
Under the TDO, any trader who engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information or provides material information in a manner that is unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely, and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision, commits an offence of misleading omissions. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: IMPLEMENTATION OF PM MITRA SCHEME
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 1:05PM by PIB Delhi
With a view to develop integrated large scale and modern industrial infrastructure facility for the entire value-chain of the textile industry, the Government has approved setting up of 7 (Seven) PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites with a scheme outlay of Rs. 4,445 crore for the period 2021-22 to 2027-28. The Government has finalised 7 sites viz. Tamil Nadu (Virudhnagar), Telangana (Warangal), Gujarat (Navsari), Karnataka (Kalaburagi), Madhya Pradesh (Dhar), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) and Maharashtra (Amravati) for setting up PM MITRA Parks. Once completed, it is expected that each PM MITRA Park will generate 3 lakh (direct/indirect) employment opportunities.
Post approval of sites received by the Government, the selected States/SPVs have started a series of activities on ground including provision of road, water and power, infrastructure till the park gate, preparation of sites and other related infrastructure. Environmental Clearance have been obtained for PM MITRA sites in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Telangana. In respect of PM MITRA Park at Amravati Maharashtra, tender of infrastructure development for Rs. 111 crore has been finalized and work order issued. The foundation stone of the PM MITRA Park Amravati Maharashtra was laid by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in September 2024. In-principle approval has been accorded to the proposal of the Government of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh for implementation of PM MITRA Parks by the Government of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh through their implementing agencies.
The scheme envisages a Development Capital Support (DCS) of 30% of total project cost upto Rs. 500 crore for Greenfield Park and Rs. 200 crore for Brownfield Park subject to scheme guidelines. The scheme also envisages a Competitive Incentive Support (CIS) of upto Rs. 300 crore per park as an incentive to manufacturing units to set up early in the park. The incentive is subject to fulfilment of conditions as outlined in detailed scheme guidelines.
In order to effectively implement the PM MITRA Scheme, MoUs as well as JV agreements have been signed between Government of India and PM MITRA States. Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) have been incorporated in all Greenfield PM MITRA Parks with State Governments’ holding 51% stake in the SPV and remaining 49% being held by the Government of India.
To encourage private sector participation in the scheme, a Master Developer (MD) led model for developing PM MITRA Park on a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) basis has been envisaged in addition to other models of development.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
*****
DHANYA SANAL K
(Lok Sabha US Q4990)
(Release ID: 2117663) Visitor Counter : 70
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SERICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
Source: Government of India
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SERICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 1:04PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has been implementing the Silk Samagra scheme for the overall development of silk sector in the country. Based on the proposals received from the States, support is provided through central assistance, for the development of necessary infrastructure through beneficiary oriented components including setting up of silkworm seed production units, rearing houses, Chawki Rearing Centres (CRCs), silk reeling & weaving units, Common Facility Centres, State-wise, Centres of Excellence.
The State-wise central funds allocated/ released and utilized during the last five are given below.
Presently, there are no proposals for new sericulture infrastructure projects pending approval. The Financial assistance for infrastructure development under Silk Samagra & Silk Samagra-2 scheme has been provided to states for implementation with the defined sharing pattern. The pattern of assistance under the ongoing Silk Samagra-2 scheme for individual farmers, cooperatives (SPV/FPO/SHG/NGO), and private entities is given below:
|
# |
Particulars |
GOI (CSB) % |
State % |
Beneficiary % |
|
A |
All states other than NE states |
|||
|
1 |
General States- General Category |
50 |
25 |
25 |
|
2 |
General States – For SC & ST |
65 |
25 |
10 |
|
3 |
Special Status States |
80 |
10 |
10 |
|
B |
Seri Business Enterprise / Entrepreneurs |
|||
|
1 |
General- New/ existing |
30/20 |
20 |
50/60 |
|
2 |
SC & ST and Special status & NE states- New/ existing |
40/30 |
30 |
30/40 |
|
C |
North East states |
|||
|
1 |
Group activity/ Community based programmes |
100 |
– |
– |
|
2 |
Common Facility/ State infrastructure |
90 |
10 |
– |
|
3 |
Individual Beneficiary |
90 |
– |
10 |
Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) at State Level, Apex Approval & Monitoring Committee at Central Silk Board level and Joint verification of the benefits/ assets at field ensure the effective implementation and utilization of funds under Silk Samagra-2 scheme.
|
State-wise Central funds allocated/ released & utilised during the last 5 years under Silk Samagra & Silk Samagra-2 scheme |
|||||||||||||
|
(Rs. in Lakh) |
|||||||||||||
|
# |
State |
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
|||||||
|
SILK SAMAGRA |
SILK SAMAGRA-2 |
||||||||||||
|
Allocated/ Released |
Utilised |
Allocated/ Released |
Utilised |
Allocated/ Released |
Utilised |
Allocated/ Released |
Utilised |
Allocated/ Released |
Utilised |
||||
|
1 |
Karnataka |
5,507.29 |
5,507.29 |
5,756.07 |
5,756.07 |
1,0140.19 |
10,140.19 |
1,538.38 |
895.25 |
8,585.08 |
8,585.08 |
||
|
2 |
Andhra Pradesh |
2,748.01 |
2,587.52 |
2,251.10 |
1,997.26 |
2,496.27 |
2,026.64 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1,280.51 |
0.00 |
||
|
3 |
Telangana |
1,021.66 |
1,021.66 |
1,391.71 |
1,391.71 |
567.79 |
265.51 |
3,421.71 |
1,158.48 |
77.14 |
0.00 |
||
|
4 |
Tamilnadu |
1,452.21 |
1,276.55 |
1,432.52 |
1,069.93 |
1,968.09 |
1,711.35 |
3,335.46 |
3,128.80 |
4,565.32 |
1,219.25 |
||
|
5 |
Maharashtra |
475.55 |
475.55 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
106.68 |
105.25 |
284.94 |
248.38 |
2,267.46 |
0.00 |
||
|
6 |
Kerala |
305.35 |
200.12 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
7 |
Uttar pradesh |
455.77 |
441.47 |
357.00 |
357.00 |
2,529.74 |
2,180.27 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
2,304.468 |
1,190.575 |
||
|
8 |
Madhya Pradesh |
0.00 |
0.00 |
8.26 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
293.18 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
9 |
Chattisgarh |
218.32 |
218.32 |
84.75 |
84.75 |
1,478.19 |
1,194.41 |
2,895.83 |
1,497.27 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
10 |
West Bengal |
447.80 |
447.80 |
5.51 |
5.51 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
721.12 |
658.41 |
749.49 |
0.00 |
||
|
11 |
Bihar |
0.00 |
0.00 |
364.63 |
364.63 |
1,177.44 |
965.92 |
1,031.48 |
38.48 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
12 |
Jharkhand |
44.65 |
0.00 |
54.24 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
273.94 |
100.18 |
39.68 |
0.00 |
||
|
13 |
Orissa |
261.93 |
70.64 |
226.97 |
149.93 |
76.63 |
0.00 |
355.92 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
14 |
Jammu & Kashmir |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
546.65 |
518.03 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
399.29 |
0.00 |
||
|
15 |
Himachal Pradesh |
213.79 |
213.79 |
772.86 |
772.86 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
16 |
Uttarakhand |
928.98 |
917.16 |
269.74 |
269.74 |
511.82 |
473.43 |
784.09 |
239.95 |
148.27 |
0.00 |
||
|
17 |
Haryana |
217.76 |
0.00 |
26.56 |
0.00 |
241.24 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
18 |
Punjab |
107.90 |
107.90 |
117.72 |
117.72 |
241.73 |
239.73 |
81.76 |
75.06 |
446.38 |
0.00 |
||
|
19 |
Assam |
74.14 |
74.14 |
97.68 |
57.68 |
672.42 |
435.51 |
2,150.14 |
545.47 |
11.70 |
0.00 |
||
|
20 |
BTC |
0.00 |
0.00 |
758.50 |
758.50 |
909.13 |
909.13 |
1,936.03 |
1,809.11 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
21 |
Arunachal Pradesh |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
2,364.26 |
2,343.69 |
2,619.15 |
2,203.93 |
851.70 |
640.16 |
||
|
22 |
Manipur |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
3,248.96 |
228.99 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
23 |
Meghalaya |
0.00 |
0.00 |
62.46 |
0.00 |
1,039.11 |
797.87 |
632.08 |
115.20 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
24 |
Mizoram |
0.00 |
0.00 |
470.13 |
470.13 |
967.63 |
945.86 |
2,006.90 |
1,777.12 |
706.15 |
561.51 |
||
|
25 |
Nagaland |
0.00 |
0.00 |
237.35 |
237.35 |
2,249.35 |
2,248.94 |
1,521.04 |
1,382.80 |
2,304.49 |
2,170.81 |
||
|
26 |
Sikkim |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
119.00 |
0.00 |
629.57 |
168.06 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
||
|
27 |
Tripura |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
152.00 |
152.00 |
1448.23 |
0.00 |
||
|
Total |
14,481.08 |
13,559.90 |
14,745.75 |
13,860.76 |
30,403.37 |
27,501.72 |
29,913.70 |
16,422.93 |
26,185.35 |
14,367.38 |
|||
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
*****
DHANYA SANAL K
(Lok Sabha US Q4958)
(Release ID: 2117662)