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Organisations wishing to hold flag days during the period from April 2004 to March 2005 are invited to apply to the Social Welfare Department (SWD) from May 13 to June 13 this year.

In view of the successful organisation of regional flag days in the previous two years in terms of public acceptance and the total amount raised, the Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee has increased the number of regional flag days to 15 in 2004/05. There will also be 45 territory-wide flag days in the same year.

A spokesman for the department said today (May 13) that applicants must be bona-fide non-profit-making organisations exempted from tax under Section 88 of Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112).

"Each application will be considered by the Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee according to the organisation's integrity and management capability; the nature, value and standard of its existing services; its financial needs and ability to organise a flag day," he said.

Application forms can be downloaded from the SWD website at http://www.info.gov.hk/swd and obtainable from the SWD Headquarters, General Registry at Room 920, 9/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

The completed application form together with required documents should reach the Department at the above address on or before June 13 2003. Late applications will not be considered.

"Applicants will be informed of the result around November 2003," the spokesman added.

Enquiries can be made by telephone 2832 4311 or fax 2838 0441 or e-mail eoiifc@swd.gov.hk.

End/Tuesday, May 13, 2003

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