Hong Kong goal: Promote creativity
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Rita Lau recently noted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is dedicated to developing the city as center of regional creativity.
Speaking at the February 28 opening ceremony of the Response Exhibition of the 11th International Architecture Exhibition of Venice Biennale Hong Kong Exhibition, Mrs. Lau said, “There are more than 170,000 practitioners in our creative industries, with over 30,000 establishments and a total annual value-added exceeding US$7.69 billion, representing around 4% of our GDP. If these industries can obtain more effective support and training, their development potential will be enormous.”
To coordinate the development of a creative economy, the government will set up a dedicated office called Create Hong Kong.
As announced by the Financial Secretary in the 2009-10 Budget, an additional US$38.46 million has been earmarked to promote the development of local creative industries. Architecture, as one of the creative industry domains in which Hong Kong has an edge, will also benefit.
Immigration shortens processing time
Hong Kong’s Immigration Department has shortened the potential processing time of applications submitted under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme.
Program applicants have to meet eligibility criteria, which include having net assets or net equity with a market value of at least US$833,333 net throughout the two years preceding the application date.
Under the new arrangement, which became effective March 16, applicants may have a certified public accountant (CPA), who must also be a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, issue a report demonstrating they meet the assets requirement.
“This is an optional arrangement, and whether or not a practicing CPA is engaged, will not affect the outcome of the application,” an Immigration Department spokesman said. “The new arrangement, which also applies to applications submitted before the implementation date, will significantly reduce the processing time of applications.”
For information on CPA firms in Hong Kong, please visit the Web site: [www.hkicpa.org.hk/membership/list/cpa/index.php].
New government ombudsman appointed
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Alan Lai Nin has been appointed as the new ombudsman. |
Beginning April 1, Alan Lai Nin will be the new ombudsman for the next five years.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang made the appointment after an open recruitment exercise was conducted. A selection board advised the recruitment.
Mr. Lai, 57, joined the government in 1974 as a judicial clerk and later became an executive officer. He joined the Administrative Service in 1976. He has worked in various bureaus and departments, including the Home Affairs Department and the former Office of Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils. He was director-general of trade from July 1996 to July 1999, and commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption from July 1999 to June 2002. He was Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) from July 2002 to October 2007.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Tsang said, “Mr. Lai has some 30 years of experience in public administration and proven management skills. I am confident that under his leadership, the Office of the Ombudsman will continue to serve as an independent and impartial channel for redress in the community.”
Incumbent Alice Tai’s term expires March 31. “Ms. Tai has demonstrated able leadership and strong commitment to the work of the Office of the Ombudsman in the last 10 years,” the Chief Executive said. “During her term of office, the ombudsman has proved to be a valuable and effective means of redress for citizens’ complaints. Her contribution in handling public complaints against maladministration and improving the quality of public administration is widely recognized by the community.
“During Ms. Tai’s tenure, the ombudsman’s office has reached out to outside jurisdictions to keep itself abreast of the latest international developments,” he said. “That Ms. Tai is currently secretary to the boards of both the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and the Asian Ombudsman Association bears clear testament to her outstanding achievements as the Ombudsman. At the same time, the ombudsman has also carried out regular exchanges with the Mainland. Such exchanges have no doubt offered ample opportunities for better understanding and mutual benefit.”
Mr. Tsang also expressed his personal thanks for Ms. Tai’s exemplary service and wished her every success in the future.
Territory to host WHO committee event
On March 4, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the World Health Organization (WHO) signed a Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements for the 60th session of WHO’s Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, which will be held in Hong Kong in September.
The memorandum was signed by Director of Health P.Y. Lam and WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Shin Young-soo. Also present at the signing was Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health York Chow.
Dr. Lam said Hong Kong is honored to be the Regional Committee’s host city for the third time. The territory also hosted sessions in 1957 and 1992.
“The session, to be held from September 21 to 25, will be an arena where health officials from 37 countries and areas of the Western Pacific Region will discuss health issues, address specific public-health needs, formulate policies and recommend measures to resolve health problems in the region,” Dr. Lam said. “With about six months to go, we will be in full swing with the preparatory work and have the confidence to make the meeting a fruitful event.”
Hong Kong has been participating on its own in the Regional Committee meetings since 1997.
Appointments made to film council
The appointments of 19 non-official members and three ex-officio members of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC) were announced March 20.
The 19 non-official members consist of the current 16 non-official members and three new appointees. Current HKFDC Chairman Jack So will continue his duties in the new term, while Peter Lam, an existing member, will serve as a co-vice chairman.
The newly appointed non-official members are Peter Chan, John Chu and Shing Mo-han. Mr. Chan is an experienced film director and producer, while Mr. Chu is chairman of a large digital production company. Mr. Chu served on the Working Group on Digital Entertainment (2002-2005) and the Film Service Advisory Committee (2004-2005). Ms. Shing is a certified public accountant and currently serves as vice president of the Association of Women Accountants (Hong Kong).
The new appointees’ terms are from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011.
Hong Kong Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) Duncan Pescod, current vice chairman and an ex-officio member of the HKFDC, will serve as another co-vice chairman. The Hong Kong Secretary for Home Affairs or his representative and the Executive Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council or his representative will continue to serve as ex-officio members of the HKFDC.
The HKFDC was set up in 2007 as a nonstatutory and advisory committee to replace the former Film Development Committee. Comprising mainly members of the film industry, the HKFDC gives advice to the Secretary for Commerce, Economic Development on relevant policies and activities, including manpower training, Mainland and overseas promotion and film support.
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