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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at a media session on the Food Truck Pilot Scheme at Central Government Offices, Tamar, today (December 8):
Reporter: (On the minimum cost of setting up a food truck.)
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: It is not a minimum cost. This is what the sector indicating to have a vehicle that would have all these facilities, roughly the cost would be about $600,000. If they can do it for less, by all means, they can do so.
Reporter: Are you concerned that the programme will be monopolised by big companies and restaurants because others can't afford?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: First of all, you asked a question about the economic benefit of this project. This is a pilot scheme. That's why we are limiting to 12 (food trucks) to see how well it works and what adjustments need to be done when the phase of the pilot scheme is over. We want to have a two-year period to observe and to see how things are working out. We are all very excited about this project.
You asked about "monopolising". People would not be competing on how much money they spent on the car. You know, with the two-phase selection screening process, people will be competing with the creativity, with the style of cuisine that they present rather than how much money they are spending on this. So everybody is competing on equal footing. It doesn't mean that a big conglomerate by spending more money will win the competition and the cook-off. I think the cook-off will be a great idea when the people of Hong Kong together can see who have the creativity and which cuisine would be attractive to the tourists and to our citizens. I think it's a very good thing.
Reporter: (On Asia Television Limited.)
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: The regulator is the Communications Authority. They will look at the situation. If there is any infringement of the Broadcasting Ordinance, I am confident that the Communications Authority will take appropriate action.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:18
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