Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Banking industry introduces further measures to assist affected individuals of Tai Po fire
The HKMA and HKAB have launched 11 emergency support measures (Note) following the Tai Po fire incident last year, including a six-month pre-approved repayment grace period for various loans to alleviate the immediate financial pressure of the affected individuals. The repayment grace period also offers time and room for the affected residents and relevant parties to manage legal matters, insurance claims and rehousing arrangements associated with the affected residential mortgages.
Recognising that the affected residents may need time to understand various options and details under the long-term housing arrangements for WFC, so that they can make informed choices and corresponding financial arrangements, the banking industry announces the following three additional measures:
(1) Extend the repayment grace period for various loans: All 28 retail banks will extend the repayment grace period (including principal and interest) for existing mortgages, personal loans and credit card loans, etc. of the affected individuals by another six months to the end of November 2026, to alleviate their short-term financial pressure;
(2) Assist with mortgage arrangements under different housing options: All WFC mortgagee banks will help relevant owners in handling mortgage-related matters, including:
(3) Establish a multi-party collaboration and communication mechanism: The HKMA, HKAB and the banking industry will establish a communication platform to understand, including through the “engagement team” co-ordinated by the Housing Bureau, the specific needs of WFC residents and provide appropriate assistance to each individual case.
The HKMA and HKAB would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to stay vigilant at all times to prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of the situation. Whenever receiving calls that claim to be from banks, the public should authenticate the identity of the caller and never disclose personal and bank account information, passwords, or other sensitive information to suspicious individuals.Issued at HKT 16:00
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Rating (Exemption) Order 2026 to be gazetted
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Rating (Exemption) Order 2026 to be gazetted
The Budget proposes to waive rates for the first and second quarters of 2026-27, subject to a concession cap of $500 per quarter for each domestic and non-domestic tenement. The proposal will benefit about 3.59 million properties, reducing government revenue by about $3.5 billion.
The Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on March 18.
Issued at HKT 16:00
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Provisional Statistics of Retail Sales for January 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (March 4).
The value of total retail sales in January 2026, provisionally estimated at $37.3 billion, increased by 5.5% compared with the same month in 2025. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in December 2025 increased by 6.6% compared with a year earlier.
Labour Department invites entries for new Construction Industry Safety Excellence Award
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Labour Department invites entries for new Construction Industry Safety Excellence Award
A Labour Department (LD) spokesman said, “The LD and the Occupational Safety and Health Council are launching the new Construction Industry Safety Excellence Award this year by integrating the Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme and the Construction Safety Promotional Campaign, which have been implemented for over 20 years. Supported and co-organised by various government departments, organisations, trade associations and labour unions, the new Award aims to further enhance the safety culture within the construction industry and to recognise organisations and frontline workers who excel in occupational safety and health (OSH) management, thereby setting safety benchmarks for the industry and promoting continuous improvement in OSH performance across the industry.”
Interested parties may visit the Award website (www.oshc.org.hk/eng/main/awards_campaigns/cisea_2026/Issued at HKT 9:00
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FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February
| District Among the sixth batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 11 survey areas in February, all were 0 per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.
The FEHD has so far released six batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February 2026, covering 62 survey areas. Among these 62 survey areas, 61 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. January 2026, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Only one area recorded a slight increase, but the index was lower than 10 per cent. Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission. Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2026 to be gazettedSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2026 to be gazetted NNNN 14 endangered reptiles seized in blitz operation by AFCDSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4 The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) conducted a blitz operation yesterday evening (March 3). Fourteen reptiles of endangered species were seized from premises in an industrial building in Kwai Chung, including a crocodile, pythons, lizards and turtles. The AFCD received a complaint earlier alleging that endangered species were illegally possessed inside premises in an industrial building in Kwai Chung. Following intelligence gathering and investigation, the AFCD immediately mounted an operation. During the operation, AFCD officers intercepted a male suspect at the premises. He was suspected in connection with the possession of endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These included a rock iguana, a big-headed turtle, and three Indochinese box turtles, which are listed in Appendix I to CITES; and a crocodile, a blood python, a carpet python, three monitor lizards, a Chinese water dragon, a black-breasted leaf turtle, and a keeled box turtle, which are listed in Appendix II to CITES. According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), unless exempted or otherwise stipulated, possession of Appendix I or Appendix II species requires a Licence to Possess or relevant documentary proof of the animals’ origin. As the man was unable to produce any Licence to Possess or relevant document, the AFCD has therefore seized the endangered animals for further investigation. A spokesman for the AFCD said, “Illegal possession of endangered species is a serious offence. Any person contravening the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years, and the seized specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.” The Government is committed to protecting endangered species. The AFCD will remain vigilant and continue to monitor and collect intelligence through various channels and proactively take enforcement action to combat offences involving endangered species. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illegal possession of endangered species to the AFCD by calling 2150 6978 or emailing espint@afcd.gov.hk. DH cracks down on illegal online sale of controlled anti-obesity medicineSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region DH cracks down on illegal online sale of controlled anti-obesity medicine NNNN Further financial assistance setSource: Hong Kong Information Services The banking industry today introduced three additional measures to provide empathetic and flexible assistance to residents affected by the Wang Fuk Court (WFC) fire. Recognising that residents need time to evaluate long-term housing options and financial arrangements, the industry introduced the following support: Repayment extension All 28 retail banks will extend the repayment grace period for existing mortgages, personal loans and credit card loans for the affected individuals by another six months. The extension will now last until the end of November 2026 to alleviate short-term financial pressure. Mortgage flexibility All WFC mortgagee banks will assist owners with various housing options. For those selecting the “Flat-for-Flat” option, banks will support the substitution of the original property with a newly-purchased Subsidised Sale Flat (SSF) as mortgage collateral, with the repayment grace period extended until the new unit is ready for intake. For residents choosing the “Cash Acquisition” option to repay their existing mortgage loans, banks will adopt a flexible approach in handling any new mortgage applications for their subsequent housing arrangements. Communication platform The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry will establish a communication platform. Working with the Housing Bureau’s engagement team, the platform will identify the specific needs of WFC residents and provide appropriate assistance for each individual case. Jan retail sales up 5.5%Source: Hong Kong Information Services The value of total retail sales for January, provisionally estimated at $37.3 billion, rose 5.5% compared with the same month in 2025, the Census & Statistics Department announced today. After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 3.4% higher year-on-year. Online sales accounted for 8.1% of the total retail sales figure for the month. Provisionally estimated at $3 billion, the value of online retail sales rose 25.1% compared with a year earlier. Meanwhile, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 3.5% while jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 31.1% year-on-year. There were also increases in the value of sales in the following categories: electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+38.7%); wearing apparel (+5.7%); medicines and cosmetics (+1.3%); motor vehicles and parts (+18.5%); furniture and fixtures (+16.4%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+4.6%); and optical shops (+8.5%). By contrast, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 5%. Also down were sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-10.5%); commodities in department stores (-11.1%); fuels (-17.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-19.9%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-8.1%). The Government said the recovery momentum of the retail sector sustained, notwithstanding that the year-on-year comparison in January this year was weighed against a higher base due to the early arrival of the Lunar New Year last year. On a seasonally adjusted comparison, the value of total retail sales increased visibly in January over the preceding month. Looking ahead, the Government considered that the robust economic growth momentum and the sustained growth in inbound visitors will continue to underpin local consumption, thereby benefiting retail businesses. |