World arbitration branch to open in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung, S.C. welcomed the announcement by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) of its decision to open a branch of the Secretariat of its International Court of Arbitration in Hong Kong.

The branch secretariat, the first in Asia, will have a case management team to administer cases in the region under the ICC Rules of Arbitration. It is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

Green lights for new rail link and extension
The Executive Council has approved the Shatin-to-Central Link (SCL) and the Kwun Tong Line Extension.

The 10.56-mile SCL will have nine stations: Tai Wai, Diamond Hill, Kai Tak, To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Wai, Homantin, Hung Hom, Exhibition and Admiralty. It will serve a residential population of 300,000 and working population of 280,000, connecting the Northeast New Territories and Hong Kong Island via Southeast Kowloon.  

Hong Kong donates US$500,000 to APEC
Director-General of Trade and Industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Joseph Lai recently led a delegation to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials’ Meeting in Lima, Peru.

During the meeting, APEC members discussed issues relating to trade facilitation, APEC reform, structural reform and corporate social responsibility.

Implementation of the second Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAP II), endorsed by ministers in 2007, will be a major task.

Territory hosts two-day World Ports Summit
More than 60 shipping experts from nine world-renowned ports attended the World Ports Summit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 11 to discuss port security, safety and environmental protection.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng noted that Hong Kong’s shipping services cover 500 destinations worldwide, including a network of more than 360 container ports, making it a key player.

International schools invited to view possible new sites
On March 15, the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government invited expressions of interest for allocation of greenfield sites and vacant or to-be-vacated school premises for international school expansion and development.

In his 2007-08 Policy Address, Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced the administration will make available a number of greenfield sites to expand the international school sector. The bureau has identified a number of sites for that purpose.