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The following is issued on behalf of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee Secretariat:
The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee was pleased to see the Administration's incessant efforts to facilitate business compliance with government regulation.
At the committee's meeting today (March 28), the Administration briefed the committee on the following three subjects:
(a) Public consultation on the Draft Enforcement Guidelines for the Trade Descriptions (Unfair Trade Practices) (Amendment) Ordinance 2012;
(b) Public consultation on a new producer responsibility scheme on glass beverage bottles; and
(c) Policy study on standard working hours.
The committee reviewed the work of its three task forces. Some notable progress/developments are:
(a) The Wholesale and Retail Task Force (WRTF) offered views to the Administration on the draft Hong Kong Code of Marketing and Quality of Formula Milk and Related Products, and Food Products for Infants and Young Children as well as the legislative proposals relating to formula products and foods intended for infants and young children under the age of 36 months in Hong Kong;
(b) The WRTF supported the Administration's launch of a Charter Scheme with the trade to expedite the phasing-out of energy-inefficient incandescent light bulbs while stepping up its publicity efforts to promote the use of more energy-efficient lamps;
(c) The Administration briefed the Food Business and Related Services Task Force (FRSTF) on the latest developments of the liquor licensing review. The FRSTF requested the Administration to consult the trade before finalising the guidelines for assessing liquor licence applications, including those from upstairs bars;
(d) The FRSTF appreciated that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department had been accepting online filing of applications for food business licences and permits through the Internet since January 1, 2013, and recently rationalised the relevant arrangements to reduce the time required for cancellation of existing food business licences/permits;
(e) The Task Force on Business Liaison Groups (BLGTF) appreciated that the Lands Department had clarified the requirements of compensatory tree planting with operators of private recreational clubs to address their concerns about tree management; and
(f) The BLGTF was pleased that the Home Affairs Department had stepped up efforts in combating unlicensed guesthouses to ensure the level playing field for licensed guesthouses and protect public safety.
The committee was pleased that bureaux and departments had sustained momentum in enhancing their business licensing services to assist different trades in doing business under the "Be the Smart Regulator" Programme. Major progress is highlighted below:
(a) In pursuit of the World Customs Organization's initiative for providing a safer and more efficient trading environment to the industries, the Customs and Excise Department has formally launched the Hong Kong Authorised Economic Operator Programme after its successful pilot run;
(b) The Highways Department has streamlined the excavation permit application process for applicants (other than government departments and utility undertakings) to carry out reinstatement of damaged footpath pavements more efficiently;
(c) The Inland Revenue Department has facilitated the requesting of duplicate valid business registration certificates by enhancing its online service to allow the applicants to obtain an electronic copy of the business registration certificate instead of obtaining the hard copy certificate at its counter or by post;
(d) The Land Registry has made public search facilities of land records more user-friendly and convenient by enhancing the Integrated Registration Information System and launching online versions of the Street Index and the New Territories Lot/Address Cross Reference Table for free browsing;
(e) In November 2012, the Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit launched a "Business Consultation e-Platform" mobile application (app) on the iPhone platform. The app is available for free download by searching for "Consultation" on the iPhone App Store. The Business Consultation e-Platform (www.gov.hk/bizconsult) has also been enhanced to highlight those regulatory proposals that may have significant potential impact on small and medium enterprises (SMEs); and
(f) The Efficiency Unit's review of business licensing services and SME support services is in progress and planned to be completed by the second quarter of 2013.
Papers for the committee meeting will be available at www.gov.hk/en/business/supportenterprises/bf/advisory/index.htm for public access.
Ends/Thursday, March 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:47
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