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The following is issued on behalf of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee Secretariat:
The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee held its 28th meeting today (March 26). The Government briefed the committee on the proposed regulation of private health-care facilities.
The committee also reviewed the work of its three task forces. Some notable progress/developments are:
(a) The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) and the Centre for Food Safety consulted the Wholesale and Retail Task Force (WRTF) on the proposed regulatory framework for nutrition and health claims on formula products and prepackaged foods for infants and young children. Some WRTF members support the proposal while others consider that the proposal will hinder traders in marketing their products. Regarding the Government's proposal to establish a list of approved claims by way of application by the trade, the WRTF envisages that business compliance costs will be high and small traders will likely have compliance difficulties. Therefore, the WRTF suggests the Government should draw up a list of claims that have been approved by overseas jurisdictions for the trade's compliance. The WRTF also requests the FHB to conduct a business impact assessment before the regulatory proposal is finalised;
(b) The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) briefed the WRTF and the Food Business and Related Services Task Force (FRSTF) on the implementation details of Plastic Shopping Bag Charging, which will take effect on April 1, 2015, and the related trade facilitation and publicity measures. Both Task Forces request the EPD to step up its publicity and education programmes in order to reach out to small retail outlets and to help the trades and their customers better understand the exemption arrangements, especially for festive foods in different packaging and storage conditions. The WRTF suggests that the $2,000 fine for non-compliance should be emphasised in the publicity so as to achieve a greater deterrent effect for the trades;
(c) The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Fire Services Department (FSD) have jointly briefed the FRSTF on the compliance status of food premises after the three new measures for the trade to comply with fire safety requirements were implemented since June 30, 2014. So far, the two departments are not aware of any significant teething problems arising from implementation of the new measures. In response to the FRSTF's suggestion, the FEHD and the FSD undertake to conduct a post-implementation review after the new measures have been introduced for a full-year cycle;
(d) The FRSTF has noted that from November 21, 2014, onwards, Outside Seating Accommodation (OSA) permission will be granted together with or after the issue of a provisional or full restaurant licence upon compliance with the OSA requirements. This measure allows the trade to start alfresco dining business earlier and increases the flexibility of their business operations;
(e) The Task Force on Business Liaison Groups (BLGTF) welcomes the Liquor Licensing Board advancing the deadline for submission of liquor licence renewal applications by one month to three months. This allows more time for processing the applications and thus minimises the incidence of licence breaks;
(f) The FEHD and the Hong Kong Police Force have reviewed and rationalised the referral process for alteration applications of Places of Public Entertainment Licence (non-cinema and theatre). Under the new arrangement, the FEHD will inform the Police about each alteration application but will not require the Police to comment on the application. The BLGTF appreciates the business facilitation efforts of the two departments; and
(g) With the BLGTF's endorsement, the scope of the Business Liaison Group for theme parks will cover attraction points as well.
The committee complimented the continuous efforts of the bureaux and departments in further enhancing their business licensing services under the "Be the Smart Regulator" Programme. Major progress is highlighted below:
(a) To help vitalise business, the FEHD has approved the installation of Wi-Fi hotspots and electronic display panels at licensed newspaper hawker stalls;
(b) The Trade and Industry Department has expanded the coverage of its Business Licence Information Service (BLIS), which provides online licensing information and requirements for running different types of business in Hong Kong. The user interface and the search function of the BLIS have also been enhanced; and
(c) The Land Registry has launched a mobile version of the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services to enable its customers (e.g. lawyers, surveyors and property agents) to conduct online land searches with their smartphones and mobile devices anywhere.
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 26, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:46
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