Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau met National Medical Products Administration Deputy Commissioner Xu Jinghe today to have an in-depth exchange on the regulatory regime and reform of drugs and medical devices.

Prof Lo said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has been ushering in immense opportunities for medical and biotechnological developments in recent years.

The National 14th Five-Year Plan, he stressed, has expressed clear support to develop Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub while biomedicine and medical innovation represent immense new quality productive forces.

The Resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee also pointed out the need to deepen medical and healthcare reform and to support the development mechanisms for innovative drugs and medical devices.

Prof Lo highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strenuously works in line with the national objective of deepening medical and healthcare reform by pursuing innovation in the medical field.

“While integrating into the national development, the Hong Kong SAR will capitalise on its unique advantages of international influence and professions to the fullest to develop the city into an international health and medical innovation hub, thereby enabling the innovative medical technologies to go global and attract foreign investment and developing new quality productive forces in biomedicine.”

He added that Hong Kong will strive to give full play to its strengths to serve the country’s needs amid the comprehensive deepening of reform.

While introducing the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices, Prof Lo emphasised that the Hong Kong SAR Government will expedite the reform of the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices to meet the institutional requirement necessary for the health and medical innovation development.

The purpose for doing so, he explained, is to strengthen the drug approval capability of the Hong Kong SAR; and take forward preparatory work for legislating for the statutory regulation of medical devices to dovetail with the timetable for the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (April 1) the adjustment of income and asset limits of the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme for 2025-26.

     The WFA Scheme supports low-income working households not receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA), promoting full-time employment and self-reliance, as well as rewarding hard work. It also provides a child allowance for households with eligible children. The allowance under the WFA Scheme is assessed on a monthly basis with reference to the household income and working hours. Under the WFA Scheme, the claim period covers the six calendar months preceding the submission of an application, and eligible households must make applications for each claim period.

     Under the established adjustment mechanism, the Government adjusts the income limits of the WFA Scheme in April each year. These limits are set with reference to the median monthly domestic household income of economically active households of the previous calendar year. According to this mechanism, and based on the 2024 figures, the income limits for households with six or more persons would have been tightened, while the income limits for five-person households would have been lower than those for four-person households. However, considering the ongoing economic challenges in Hong Kong which may affect the income levels of lower-income households, and the need to minimise the adverse impact on WFA households, the Government will:

(a) maintain the income limits for households with six persons or more at the 2024-25 level;

(b) adjust the income limit for five-person households to align with those for four-person households; and

(c) increase the income limits for other household sizes according to the mechanism.

     These arrangements will apply for one year starting from the claim month of April 2025.  

     The asset limits of the WFA Scheme are set with reference to the asset limits for public rental housing. The Government will increase the asset limits for all household sizes according to the mechanism. The adjusted income and asset limits of the WFA Scheme are provided in the Annex.

     In addition, if the Appropriation Bill 2025 is passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo), the Government will, as proposed in the 2025-26 Budget, disburse a one-off extra allowance to WFA households. The allowance is expected to be disbursed one month after the passage of the Bill at the earliest.

     Households which made WFA applications during the applicable period that were eventually approved are eligible for the extra allowance. The applicable period spans from the first day of the month in which the Bill is passed by the LegCo to the date of its passage, and the six calendar months before that month. For applications submitted by post, the date of the post-stamp will be adopted as the application date.

     In order to be eligible for the extra allowance, new applicants or previous WFA recipients who have yet to submit applications during the applicable period should submit their applications before the applicable period expires (i.e. on or before the date of passage of the Bill by the LegCo). The extra allowance is equal to one half of the average monthly allowance in approved months in a recipient’s most recently submitted WFA application, which was submitted within the applicable period and eventually approved. The amount varies from case to case.

     If a WFA household is receiving CSSA on the day the LegCo passes the Bill, the household is eligible for only one single extra allowance under either the WFA Scheme or the CSSA Scheme, whichever is higher.

     For enquiries, applicants may visit the website of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (wfsfaa.gov.hk) or call the 24-hour hotline of the Working Family Allowance Office at 2558 3000.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (April 1) released the test results of a targeted food surveillance project on the nutrition labelling of breakfast cereal. Among 40 samples tested, three samples were found with total fat or saturated fat content inconsistent with the declared values on their nutrition labels, while one sample was found to have a label format on durability indication that was not in compliance with legal requirements. The remaining 36 samples passed the test.

“The CFS collected samples from different retail outlets for the targeted food surveillance project. Tests were conducted to check if the energy content and specified nutrient content (total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sugars, sodium, protein, carbohydrates, and more) are consistent with the declared values on their nutrition labels. The food labels were also checked if they comply with relevant requirements under the laws,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

The CFS has announced the irregularities on the actual nutrient contents earlier. The vendors concerned have also stopped selling the relevant batches of the affected products. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence.

The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) require all applicable prepackaged foods to list the ingredients and the content of energy plus seven core nutrients, namely carbohydrates, protein, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and sugars, and regulate any associated nutrition claims. The “best before” or “use by” date of all prepackaged food shall be shown either in Arabic numerals or in both the English and Chinese languages.

Nutrition labelling can assist consumers in making informed food choices, encourage food manufacturers to apply sound nutrition principles in the formulation of foods, and regulate misleading or deceptive labels and claims. According to Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), if any person falsely describes food or misleads as to the nature, substance or quality of the food on a label of the food sold by him or her, he or she shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.

The CFS will continue to conduct surveillance on other food samples to check if their energy content and specified nutrient content are consistent with the declared values on their nutrition labels, and the results will be released in due course. The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law, and urged members of the public to pay attention to the information on nutrition labels when purchasing food to make informed food choices to achieve a balanced diet and stay healthy.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (April 1) its decision to reassign 50 MHz of spectrum in the 2.5/2.6 GHz band by way of auction for the provision of public mobile services upon the expiry of its existing assignments. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED) also announced his decision on the method for determining the related spectrum utilization fee (SUF).

     The existing assignments of the relevant spectrum are due to expire in May 2028. In arriving at the decisions about the reassignment arrangements of the spectrum and the related SUF, the CA and the SCED have considered thoroughly the views and comments received in the public consultation conducted between September and October last year.

     “Spectrum in the 2.5/2.6 GHz band belongs to the mid-band spectrum within the 1-7 GHz range, which provides longer range propagation than the high-band spectrum above 7 GHz, and wider bandwidth than the low-band spectrum below 1 GHz, thereby meeting both network coverage and capacity demands. It possesses the potential to support mobile broadband services and other innovative applications adopting fourth generation, fifth generation mobile services or beyond,” a spokesman for the CA said.

     On the relevant SUF, the SCED decided to prescribe that it will be determined by auction, with the auction reserve price to be specified nearer the time of the auction after taking into account all relevant factors. To provide greater financial flexibility to spectrum assignees, the assignees will be given a choice to pay the SUF either by lump sum payment upfront or by annual instalments in the reassignment period of about 10 years and 10 months.

     The Government needs to make necessary amendments to the relevant subsidiary legislation to provide legal basis for the reassignment arrangements and the decision to levy the SUF in relation to the above-mentioned spectrum. Subject to the completion of amendments to the relevant subsidiary legislation, the CA targets to conduct the auction in the fourth quarter of this year.

     For details of the arrangements for the spectrum reassignment and the related SUF, please refer to the joint statement published by the SCED and the CA today.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) released the 2024 Beach Water Quality Report today (April 1). The report reveals that all 42 gazetted beaches in Hong Kong continued to fully achieve the bacteriological Water Quality Objective (WQO) for bathing waters in that year, with 23 beaches ranked as “Good” and the remaining 19 ranked as “Fair”. No beaches were ranked as “Poor” or “Very Poor”.
 
     An EPD spokesman said, “All gazetted beaches have fully complied with the WQO for 15 consecutive years since 2010.
 
     “The satisfactory beach water quality over the years is attributed to various pollution control and environmental improvement measures implemented by the Government, including the enforcement of the Water Pollution Control Ordinance and Livestock Waste Control Scheme, extension of the sewerage network to the beach hinterland, and the implementation of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme.
 
     “The EPD will continue to embrace the use of innovative technologies to enhance the effectiveness of environmental water quality management, with a view to protecting and improving beach water quality to safeguard the health of swimmers,” the spokesman added.
 
     The 2024 Beach Water Quality Report can be found at the EPD’s website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band (HKYSB) of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold its annual concert, this one entitled “Echoes of the Harmony: An American Tapestry”, at 3pm on May 1 (Thursday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. 

     The concert will be conducted by Music Office instructors Lee Sing-wan and Kevin Ling. The HKYSB will perform the jazz-infused “The Fast Lane” from the “Cinnamon Concerto”, with Music Office instructor Lau Tsz-kit as saxophone soloist.

     Other programme highlights include “The Nine”, inspired by a historical event and conveying positive values such as compassion and unity; “Machu Picchu: City in the Sky”, portraying the mystery and grandeur of the “golden city” of the Inca Empire; and “Foster Rhapsody”, blending the characteristics of the classic folk melodies by renowned American composer Stephen Foster.

     The HKYSB was formed in 1978 with the aim of nurturing young musicians and arousing greater interest in symphonic band music in Hong Kong. The Band currently has around 60 members and recruits annually by open audition. It has performed in Hong Kong and overseas, winning much acclaim.

     Tickets priced at $70, $90 and $115 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2796 1003 or 3842 7784 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 1) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 01 APR 2025 10:02AM by PIB Delhi

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today reflected on the immense peace that fills the mind with worship of Devi Maa in Navratri. He also shared a Bhajan by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.

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MJPS/SR

(Release ID: 2117105) Visitor Counter : 85

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 01 APR 2025 10:07AM by PIB Delhi

The Government through Central Silk Board has been implementing the Silk Samagra-2 scheme with an outlay of Rs.4,679.85 crore for the overall development of sericulture industry throughout  the country, which covers around  55 -60% participation of women beneficiaries.

Central schemes like Silk Samagra, Silk Samagra-2 and North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) have been implemented wherein, extended assistance, training & support to sericulture stakeholders including women is provided through States for the beneficiary oriented components.

Ministry of Textiles implements SAMARTH Scheme for skilling and up-skilling through training in various textile sectors including Silk. Since 2021-22, 7,985 beneficiaries including women has been trained in silk sector under SAMARTH Scheme.   

The Government through CSB is supporting States under its central schemes for creation of marketing facilities and infrastructure. In addition, to give wider exposure to all the textile stakeholders, several marketing events in the form of fairs/melas, exhibitions and expos are organised through support of CSB, National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), Export Promotion Councils (EPC) of textiles including Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, with the support of Ministry of Textiles.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

(Rajya Sabha US Q3320)

(Release ID: 2117107) Visitor Counter : 55

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 01 APR 2025 4:17PM by PIB Delhi

The Government of India has implemented various measures to curb the import of substandard goods in Indian markets. To protect the domestic industry from the adverse impact of cheaper imports, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), an attached office of Department of Commerce, conducts various investigations (anti-dumping/safeguard (quantitative restrictions)/ countervailing) under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 and the rules made thereunder on the basis of duly substantiated petition filed by the domestic industry. The Authority at DGTR examines applications filed by the domestic industry and evaluates responses received from importers, exporters and other interested parties in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. Based on this examination, the DGTR submits its recommendations to the Ministry of Finance for final consideration.

In the current F.Y. 2024-2025 (upto February, 2025), a total of 206 cases against import of substandard goods violating IPR, BIS and FSSAI norms, valued at Rs.206.62 crore, have been booked by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Customs field formations under Customs Act, 1962.

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Customs field formations under CBIC keep constant vigil to check import of substandard goods into India. On the detection of such cases, action is taken in accordance with Customs Act, 1962 & other Allied Acts. Further, the Indian Customs Risk Management System (RMS) implements the policies of risk-based selective examination and testing based on the selectivity criteria of the respective regulatory agency, thereby thwarting the attempts of import of substandard goods.

Further, Section 25 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017 regulates the import of food articles into the country. The clearance or No Objection Certificate(NOC) issued by the FSSAI is subject to scrutiny of documents, visual inspection, sampling and testing, in order to determine whether or not they conform to the safety and quality standards.

In addition to the above, with a view to protect its domestic producers and consumers, India has an elaborate and robust legal framework and institutional set up to protect environment, life and health of its people, plants and animals. Adequate provisions exist under the Foreign Trade 2 Policy to protect the Indian consumers and producers as imported goods are subject to domestic laws, rules, orders, regulations, technical specifications, environmental and safety norms. The BIS standards applicable to domestic goods are also applicable to imported goods. Besides, imports of plant & plant-based products are subject to Plant Quarantine measures and sanitary & phyto-sanitary measures, imports of animal & animal-based products are subject to sanitary import permits and imports of food/edible items are subject to FSSAl standards.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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Abhishek Dayal /Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

(Release ID: 2117283) Visitor Counter : 16