MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired a meeting of the interdepartmental working group to co-ordinate the preparatory work for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week.

The Immigration Department estimates that around 5.71 million passengers, including Hong Kong residents and visitors, will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points from May 1 to 5, among which 4.9 million are expected to pass through land control points.

The peak period of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be May 3 and 5, with around 590,000 and 580,000 passengers expected respectively.

Passengers are advised to plan in advance, avoid making journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The busy times at BCPs are available on the department’s website.

Furthermore, residents and passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land BCP via the Immigration mobile app.

In terms of Mainland inbound visitors, around 840,000 passengers are expected to visit Hong Kong via sea, land and air control points during the five-day Labour Day Golden Week. Compared with last year’s Labour Day Golden Week and this year’s Chinese New Year Golden Week, the daily average visitor arrivals will increase by 10% and 13%.

Special arrangements have been formulated at major tourist spots to cope with the increase of people flow.

The Transport Department will enhance transportation services connecting various BCPs, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), and issue additional cross-boundary coach quotas to enhance services.

Regarding local transport services, the department has approached public transport operators to enhance their capacity, and reserve vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors.

Among them, the MTR will enhance train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau at different times from May 1 to 5 for the convenience of residents and visitors.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Board has launched a dedicated webpage to provide useful information including the operating arrangements of major tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

Noting that a notable increase in visitor arrivals is estimated during the Labour Day Golden Week, Mr Chan said the Government will make good preparations for receiving visitors to ensure the smooth operation of various aspects in receiving them and offering a high-quality experience.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee attended the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference – Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum & Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum today in Ningbo, Zhejiang.

The conference was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Ningbo Municipal Government.

Mr Lee led the Hong Kong SAR Government delegation to attend the opening ceremony and related activities today to promote to Mainland enterprises Hong Kong’s unique advantages and dual roles as a platform in going global and attracting foreign investment, fostering investment and co-operation.

The Zhejiang (Ningbo) forum, with the theme of “Hong Kong, joining hands with Zhejiang and meeting in Ningbo, the channel for more opportunities”, brought together a number of business leaders from various sectors including finance, supply chain, innovation and technology (I&T) and professional services to share their insights on Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities in different areas and attracted more than 600 participants.

The concurrent Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum has been held alternately in Hong Kong and Ningbo every year since 2002 to facilitate bilateral exchanges and co-operation on economic, trade and investment and has been well received by the business communities of the two places.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Lee noted that Ningbo in Zhejiang Province is a manufacturing and port hub in the Yangtze River Delta, while Hong Kong is an international financial, trade and shipping centre.

Both Ningbo and Hong Kong are important gateways in the opening up of the country, with complementary advantages and limitless opportunities for collaboration.

Hong Kong is the largest source of external investment in Ningbo and more than 1,000 enterprises and institutions from Ningbo have been established in Hong Kong, reflecting the close economic and trade ties between the two places.

The Chief Executive said that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong possesses the unique advantages of having the country’s strong support while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the world, serving as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”. Hong Kong acts as a two-way springboard for Mainland enterprises to go global and for attracting overseas enterprises.

He pointed out that despite the US’ bullying and unjustified imposition of tariffs, and the emergence of unilateralism that disrupted the global landscape and geopolitics and posed risks of economic destruction and recession, the country’s immense economic strength and vast market provide certainty for global investors, and a new economic and trade order is taking shape.

Mr Lee added that Hong Kong will continue to proactively serve Mainland enterprises in going global to explore international markets, and attract overseas enterprises to tap into the Mainland market.

Members of the Hong Kong SAR Government delegation attending the Conference included Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau, Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip and Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Joseph Chan.

In his remarks on promoting Hong Kong’s advantages at a themed promotion activity, Mr Wong said that on finance, Hong Kong is the most trusted international financial safe haven for Mainland enterprises, offering diversified financing channels and financial services for companies to expand their businesses internationally.

Furthermore, Invest Hong Kong held a signing ceremony of a number of key Zhejiang-Hong Kong and Ningbo-Hong Kong co-operation projects, covering various sectors including finance, technology, transportation, aviation, I&T and consumer goods.

In the afternoon, the Hong Kong SAR Government, the HKTDC and relevant authorities of the Ningbo Municipal Government jointly organised three special promotion activities on finance, multinational supply chain management centre and I&T to promote investment in Hong Kong.

Mr Lee and the delegation departed for Hong Kong this afternoon.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hospital Authority announced today that the new fee schedule for public services in public hospitals will take effect on January 1 next year, following its publication in the Government Gazette today.

Since the announcement of the “Public Healthcare Fees & Charges Reform” in March, the Health Bureau and the authority have been engaging with the Legislative Council, the public and other stakeholders to explain the reforms and gather feedback.

They have found a consensus that the current public healthcare subsidisation structure cannot cope with increasing service demands driven by demographic changes and healthcare developments. In light of these realities, modifications to patterns of healthcare service utilisation, more precise allocation of medical resources, and reduced wastage and misuse of medical resources are deemed necessary.

Besides restructuring subsidisation levels for various services, the reforms seek to enhance the medical fee waiver mechanism, introduce a cap on annual spending, and strengthen protection for patients with critical illnesses in relation to drugs and medical devices.

As such, public healthcare will be reinforced as a safety net for all, and it is expected that the enhanced medical fee waiving mechanism will expand the number of eligible beneficiaries from 0.3 million to 1.4 million underprivileged individuals, while the annual spending cap will benefit 70,000 patients with serious illnesses.

The Hospital Authority’s next steps are to refine implementation measures to ensure the reforms’ smooth execution. This includes streamlining application procedures for medical fee waivers and relaxing the eligibility criteria under means testing for the Samaritan Fund safety net.

The authority will launch a means test calculator on its website and a mobile application, ‘HA Go’, on April 28. By inputting information about household income and assets, patients can make a preliminary estimation of their eligibility for medical fee waivers and safety net applications under the new healthcare protection measures.

Additionally, starting from January 1 – when the new Accident & Emergency fee of $400 takes effect – the special A&E refund arrangements will be regularised simultaneously. While waiting for consultation after nurses conduct triage and preliminary medical assessments, patients who choose to seek treatment at other healthcare institutions may apply for a $350 refund.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) said today that the efficiency of its enforcement against overcharging of tenants living in sub-divided units (SDUs) for water has been significantly enhanced following the enactment of a legislative amendment.

The Waterworks (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 empowered the WSD and the Rating & Valuation Department (RVD) to exchange information, thereby enabling a more effective inspection process. The WSD now handles cases that could not be followed up in the past.

As of today, since the enactment of the amended ordinance on April 19 last year, the WSD has completed 280 investigations into suspected overcharging tenants for water in SDUs.

Of these, a total of 21 cases were prosecuted, resulting in convictions with fines, while a number of other cases are currently at the prosecution stage.

The WSD said this represents an increase of between five and six times compared to the 40-plus cases per year before the enactment of the amended ordinance. Moreover, the conviction rate exceeds the previous average of about six per year by between three and four times.

Meanwhile, with its new enforcement powers allowing the WSD to compel relevant parties to provide information or documents, including receipts for water charges or payment records, for investigation, landlords’ response rate has grown from 10% in the past to about 90% recently.

The WSD added that it has successfully prosecuted several landlords and WSD-registered consumers for failing to provide the requested information or documents.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Government of Samoa

KEYNOTE SPEECH by the Minister of Works, Transport & Infrastructure – Hon. Olo Fiti Afoa Vaai [April 10, 2025]

Your Excellency, Aliona Niculita, the Resident Representative of UNDP Samoa Country Office,

Your Exellency, Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador, Government of Japan

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am indeed extremely privileged and humbled to address this important ceremony for the handing over of the much needed and immensely valued e-truck and charger to support the administration of TTM Hospital Oxygen Plants services and transportation of oxygen cylinders from our main oxygen plant here to other health facilities both in Upolu and Savaii.

I believe this electric-truck is one of the e-vehicles procured under the Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport project implemented by the Government of Samoa through the leadership of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure in close partnership with UNDP and funded by the Government of Japan.

The procurement of this electric-truck is increasingly important for oxygen plant administration due to their potential to reduce emissions, lower operating costs and improve air quality, especially in areas where oxygen plants often operate.

I applaud the fact that this is the first time ever that this electric truck has been specially manufactured and reconfigured to cater the need of MOH, for a specialized truck to transport oxygen cylinders from the TTM Hospital Oxygen Plant to rural health facilities.

Most importantly, it is Samoa’s commitment to expected outcomes of the Pathway for the Development of Samoa 2021-2026 in placing emphasis on Samoa’s efforts towards decarbonization and enhancement of health services provision.

On behalf of Samoa government and its people, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to UNDP and Government of Japan for your never-ending support. This handover is another good example of how we can continue working together and fostering our partnership in finding solutions for challenges that confront the health of our people on a daily basis.

I have no doubt that this pivotal assistance, will go a long way to save lives and improve the quality of life of all our people, by ensuring sufficient oxygen supplies to all health facilities in Samoa.

To this end, I would like to reiterate my deepest appreciation to our development partners who had kindly provide this assistance for us, not forgetting our local counterparts who had worked together in facilitating and negotiation of such important assistance to support the provision of quality and safe health support services for our people.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to celebrate with you this addition of e-vehicles provided by UNDP and Government of Japan through Climate Action Pathways for Island Transport project for Samoa, and look forward to receiving more e-vehicles in the coming years, and continue to receive more support from our partners to promote health and wellbeing of our people.

Soifua ma ia manuia.

 

Source: Government of India

Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary presides over Passing Out Parade of 75th batch of 42 Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer trainees at NACIN, Palasamudram

Confident that new batch of officers will advance vision of Viksit Bharat by promoting economic progress and social equality: MoS Shri Pankaj Chaudhary

CBIC Chairman urges officers for balance between enforcement and facilitation, encouraging officers to lead with empathy, confidence, and discipline

Public servants must remain accessible, fair and citizen-centric in their conduct: CBIC Member

The 75th batch is the first to undergo entire Foundation Training at the newly-developed NACIN Palasaudram campus: DG NACIN

Five exceptional performers also earn gold medals in various benchmarked areas

Posted On: 25 APR 2025 4:01PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary presided over the Passing Out Parade today as Chief Guest of the 75th batch of 42 Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer trainees, including 25 men and 17 lady officers at NACIN, Palasamudram.  Five officers are from the Royal Government of Bhutan were also part of the training programme. Also present were Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, CBIC, Ms Aruna Narayan Gupta, Member, CBIC, and Dr. M. Subramanyam, Director General, NACIN, along with senior officers of CBIC and dignitaries.

The Passing Out Parade, National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN), Palasamudram, marks the culmination of an intensive 18-month training programne and commences their journey as Karmayogi, dedicated to safeguarding India’s economic interests.

The ceremony commenced with a solemn observance of mourning and tribute for the victims of the tragic Pahalgam incident, with officers and dignitaries stood in silence to honour victims’ memory.

In his address on the occasion, Shri Chaudhary commended the batch’s achievements and emphasised their responsibility in building a transparent and accountable tax system.  Shri Chaudhary highlighted the role of IRS officers in economic growth and urged them to lead with courage and clarity. The Minister expressed confidence in their ability to advance the Government’s vision of Viksit Bharat by promoting economic progress and social equality.

In his address, Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, CBIC, congratulated the 75th batch officers and outlined their pivotal role in revenue mobilisation, trade facilitation, and national development and urged them to stay updated, uphold integrity, and embrace digital transformation to serve efficiently. Shri Agarwal further urged them for a balance between enforcement and facilitation, encouraging officers to lead with empathy, confidence, and discipline.

In her address, Ms. Aruna Narayan Gupta, Member, CBIC, stressed on ethical conduct, empathy and continuous learning, while underscoring “Sevabhav” as a foundational quality for IRS officers, urging them to approach their duties with empathy, humility and a service-oriented mindset. She emphasised that public servants must remain accessible, fair and citizen-centric in their conduct, reinforcing that serving people is at the heart of governance.

In his address, Dr. M. Subramanyam, Director General, NACIN, congratulated the officers as they are the first batch to undergo their entire foundational training at the newly developed NACIN Palasamudram campus, making the occasion a historic milestone for the academy. Further emphasising adaptability, public service and the importance of integrity in shaping modern tax officers, he expressed pride in the academy’s evolving capabilities, highlighting its advanced training infrastructure and growing international collaborations.

During the ceremony, the following exceptional performers of the 75^th batch, were honoured with gold medals for their outstanding achievements:

• Finance Minister’s Gold Medal: Awarded to Shri Sreekumar Ravindrakumar for achieving balanced excellence in academics, attendance and physical training.
• Chairman’s Gold Medal: Awarded to Shri Abhishek Maji for securing the highest aggregate marks in written examinations.
• Smt. Kaushalya Narayanan Memorial Gold Medal: Awarded to Ms. Pooja Barwal for her outstanding performance as the best lady officer trainee.
• Director General’s Gold Medal: Awarded to Shri Shantanu Sunil Malani for consistent performance and excellent conduct throughout the training.
• Shri N.K. Upadhyay Memorial Gold Medal: Awarded to Mrs Sathya Parvathy R for exemplary discipline, conduct and teamwork.

The parade included a display of drills, showcasing the professionalism and discipline of the officers and also reaffirmed NACIN’s role as a world-class institution committed to excellence in training and nation-building. The event concluded with the officers taking a solemn pledge to uphold the values of integrity and service as they step into their roles as economic enablers and defenders of the nation.

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NB/KMN

(Release ID: 2124290) Visitor Counter : 14

Source:

[PRESS RELEASE Apia Samoa, 10th April 2025] – The Taiala Youth Exchange Program, a cultural and leadership initiative led by Brown Girl Woke and Samoan Solutions, was honored to meet with the Honorable Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa on April 10, 2025, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Apia.

The meeting brought together Samoan diaspora youth and national leadership to discuss service, identity, and the importance of reconnecting to Fa’aSamoa.

At 11:33 a.m., the Prime Minister was formally welcomed in Samoan by Jocelynette Leilua, Program Manager of Brown Girl Woke. The youth were introduced and acknowledged for their work and commitment to their cultural roots.

The Prime Minister shared her reflections on leadership, shaped by the legacy of her mother and aunties—women who modeled integrity and service in governance.

After receiving her matai title at age 20, her political career began shortly after, grounded in education, faith, and community.

Youth Questions & Prime Minister’s Reflections

1. Donnavyn Tuitele: Who were your role models and mentors?

Fiame: “My mother, my aunties, and the women in my community. They didn’t call themselves mentors, but they always told me what to do. I was raised by strong women who were midwives, teachers, and community leaders.”

2. Nerisa Tuaua: Did you feel pressure to enter politics because of your family’s legacy?

Fiame: “No, I always had an interest in politics. But things happened faster than I expected. When my father passed away, it shifted everything. I received my matai title at 20, and my leadership path began from there.”

3. Alexandria Saelua: How do you care for your own mental health while serving Samoa?

Fiame: “Mental health is so important. We don’t talk about it enough here. There’s only one mental health organization in Samoa, and a small hospital unit. I try to reflect, stay close to nature, and surround myself with positive people. Rest and prayer help ground me.”

4. Manalita Sagote: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

Fiame: “Serving in the Ministry of Education and rebuilding after the cyclones. We had to redesign the curriculum to support bilingual learning—keeping Samoan language strong while teaching

English.”

5. Epi Aumavae: What message do you have for diaspora youth trying to reconnect to Samoa?

Fiame: “You can’t make up identity—it has to be lived. But you can build it. If our young people are supported where they are, they’ll carry Samoa with them. If not, we need to welcome them back with open arms and strong culture.”

6. Why Taiala Matters

a) Maluseu Doris Tulifau, founder of Brown Girl Woke, shared:

“Brown Girl Woke was created in Samoa as a safe space for diaspora Samoans who carry a deep desire to return—not just to reconnect, but to serve with humility.

Coming home isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. Taiala helps bridge that journey. It allows us to ground our experiences in Fa’aSamoa, and to give back in a way that honors both where we come from and what we’ve learned. This exchange reminds us there is always room to return, to listen, and to serve with grace.”

b) Epi Leone Aumavae, founder of Samoan Solutions and Taiala Program Coordinator, added:

“Taiala was created to help our youth find their identity by learning about being samoan —not just by blood, but through culture, language, and service. We come back to Samoa because this is where we’re reminded who we are. For so many diaspora youth, that connection has been broken or never fully formed. This exchange gives them a path—not just to visit, but to belong.”

Brown Girl Woke & Samoan Solutions Leadership

1. Maluseu Doris Tulifau – Founder, Brown Girl Woke

2. Jocelynette Leilua – Program Manager, Brown Girl Woke

3. Prince Lalovi – Cultural Program Assistant, Brown Girl Woke

4. Epi Leone Aumavae – Founder, Samoan Solutions & Taiala Program Coordinator

2025 Taiala Youth Delegation

1. Lulani Jolee Tafilele Moors

2. Donnavyn Iliganoa Fatumalala Tuitele

3. Nerisa Anita Tuaua

4. Manalita Akenese Sefulu Sagote

5. Charmaine Susana Ah Kuoi – Sanft, Chaperone

6. Aaliyah Puataunofo Aumavae, Media Team Lead

7. Alexandria Laloifi Saelua, Mental Health Educator & Facilitator

7) A Cultural Homecoming

Prime Minister Mataafa left the youth with a reminder that identity is not fixed—it is something we choose to honor and carry.

“E matitiva fa’afesaga’i.”

“Even in poverty, be gracious, be generous, and stay connected to others.”

She explained that poverty is not only material, but emotional and spiritual—and in moments of disconnection, we must still choose compassion and community.

Taiala is more than a program. It is a cultural homecoming, a bridge between generations, and a living example of how young Samoans across the globe are returning with purpose.

For media inquiries, partnerships, or to support the next Taiala cohort:

Brown Girl Woke | browngirlwoke.com

Samoan Solutions | samoansolutions.org

ENDS.

Photos by the Government of Samoa (Peseta Tusiga Taofiga)

April 25, 2025

Source:

REMARKS by the Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa, Honourable Fiame Naomi Mata’afa [Wednesday 9 April, 2025]

Pastor Samoa Unoi,

Your Excellency, Viktor Vavricka and your good lady,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Talofa and a pleasant good evening to you all.

It is a pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate the growing relations between Samoa and Switzerland. In that regard let me extend a very warm welcome to Your Excellency, Ambassador Viktor Vavricka and your good lady. I also congratulate you on your accreditation yesterday as the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Samoa.

We look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the connections between our two nations.

Samoa and Switzerland have enjoyed cordial relationship over four decades underpinned by mutual respect and our shared aspirations for sustainable development.

Switzerland’s invaluable support has played a crucial role in advancing Samoa’s interests on the global stage. We acknowledge Switzerland’s financial assistance to support the establishment in 2022 of Samoa’s Embassy and Permanent Mission in Geneva, which serves as a vital platform for multilateral diplomacy to engage especially with UN agencies such as WTO, Human Rights, FAO and UNESCO.

Your country’s generosity in this regard reflects its steadfast commitment to supporting small island developing states in amplifying their voices in the international arena.

Switzerland’s contribution and investment in the Green Climate Fund GCF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has benefitted Samoa through climate resilient projects for Small island developing states. These projects have continued to significantly assist Samoa in building resilience against climate change, promoting sustainable economic growth, and enhancing our disaster preparedness.

Excellency, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the contribution made by Mrs. Sylvie Salanoa as the Swiss Honorary Consul to Samoa especially through Switzerland’s small grant aid which has benefitted our local community. Her dedication has added to fostering stronger ties between our two nations.

Excellency, I am assured that your tenure as the Ambassador of Switzerland to Samoa will present new opportunities for collaboration and sustained progress in our relations.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in proposing a toast: “To the close and enduring relations between Samoa and Switzerland”.

Soifua and God bless.

Photo by the Government of Samoa (Peseta Tusiga Taofiga)