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The Government published in the Gazette today (December 9) the Film Censorship (Fee Reduction) Regulation 2005, which seeks to reduce the film censorship fee by 9.7% from $72 to $65 per minute of running time.
A spokesman for the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau said, "The reduction is attributable to the savings resulting from Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority's efficiency improvement measures.
"The fee revision will bring down the operating costs of the film producers who intend to exhibit films publicly in Hong Kong, and hence will be positive to the development of the film industry."
The Film Censorship Ordinance (FCO) provides that a prescribed fee shall be charged for a film dealt with under section 10 of the FCO where the film is viewed, decided on its suitability for public exhibition and classified, if appropriate, by the censor.
The Fee Reduction Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council on December 14, 2005. Subject to approval by the negative vetting procedure of the Legislative Council, the fee reduction will take effect on February 10, 2006.
Ends/Friday, December 9, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:00
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