The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited Eastern District this afternoon (December 1). Apart from meeting with members of the Eastern District Council, he also visited hawker stalls and start-ups to learn more about the operating conditions of both traditional and new businesses.
 
     Mr Lau first met with members of the Eastern District Council to exchange views on various issues including tax concessions to support the middle class and financial intermediaries for money lending.
 
     He then visited the stall hawkers in Kam Wa Street in Shau Kei Wan to understand their business environment. He was also briefed by officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on the Hawker Assistance Scheme. Launched in June 2013, the five-year scheme aims to provide financial assistance to licensed hawkers for stall relocation and reconstruction with a view to reducing the fire risks posed by on-street hawking activities and improving the hygiene conditions in the area.
 
     Before concluding the visit, Mr Lau proceeded to a co-working space located at Taikoo Place called blueprint. He chatted with a number of entrepreneur tenants there to learn more about the business prospects of its start-ups.
 
     He said, "The Government attaches great importance to developing a diversified economy. We will continue to allocate resources to support start-ups and encourage the entrepreneurs to develop their innovative ideas to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness."
 
     With a focus on flexibility and collaboration, the 30,000-square-foot blueprint features a smart co-working area with 90 desks in an open plan configuration as well as 13 private rooms of various sizes to meet the office demands of start-ups.

Ends/Friday, December 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:40

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