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The Official Receiver's Office (ORO) will provide a new batch search service to facilitate customers who need to make a large number of bankruptcy and winding-up searches with effect from Monday (May 21).

"The new service is part of the office's drive to enhance its services to the public. The availability of modern technology has made it possible to process quickly bulk search requests. The time required for producing search reports will be reduced," an ORO spokesman said.

In conducting batch searches, instead of completing numerous copies of Form ORO 73 or inputting the search criteria via the computer terminals installed at the ORO's Public Enquiry Counter, customers can now input the search criteria, such as names of debtor and company, Hong Kong identity card number, etc. into a floppy disk containing two predefined spreadsheets, one for bankruptcy and the other for compulsory winding-up of companies, and then submit the floppy disk to the ORO.

The search reports will be available within two hours after payment of the search fees, which will remain the same as at present, i.e. HK$85 per search request. There is no limit on the maximum or minimum number of search requests per application.

If customers prefer to complete Form ORO 73 for making search requests, the form is still available. The search report will be available within three hours after payment of the search fees. Customers can also make use of the computer terminals installed at the Public Enquiry Counter to conduct the search requests. The search reports will be available within one hour after payment of the search fees.

If members of the public have any enquiries on the search services, they can telephone 2867 2745 or 2867 2482, or visit ORO's Public Enquiry Counter on 10/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.

End/Saturday, May 19, 2001

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