Hong Kong

The airline is currently the world’s biggest operator of the engine.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang has asked the US to grant visa-free access to Hong Kong SAR passport holders.

The Road Cargo System, an electronic advance cargo information system for customs clearance of road cargo, will start on November 17 at all land boundary control points (LBCPs).      "ROCARS was officially rolled out on May 17, 2010. There has been an 18-month transition period in order to help industry players to adjust their mode of operation, train up their staff and get their information systems well prepared for the full implementation. On November 17, the transition period will expire and the submission of electronic cargo information in advance will then be made mandatory," a spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said.      Starting from November 17, under the Import and Export (Electronic Cargo Information) Regulation, a shipper or freight forwarder will be required to provide a pre-defined set of cargo information to the C&ED electronically through ROCARS before the cargo consignment enters or leaves Hong Kong in a truck.      As an acknowledgement, the shipper or freight forwarder will be given the Customs Cargo Reference Number for passing on to the relevant truck driver together with the cargo description. The truck driver will then do the "bundling" work by providing to the C&ED through ROCARS the Customs Cargo Reference Number together with his vehicle's registration number. A truck driver will be required to "bundle" in not less than 30 minutes before the truck is due to pass through an LBCP.      The truck driver will be informed of whether his cargo has to be inspected through a visual display unit at the LBCP. A truck not selected for inspection may leave immediately after the truck driver has completed immigration clearance.      "With the imminent implementation of ROCARS, cross-boundary trucks using the system, except those selected for inspection, will enjoy seamless customs clearance at the LBCPs. ROCARS will also enable Hong Kong to align with international and regional developments in electronic customs clearance," the spokesman said.      For the migration to ROCARS, the C&ED has been launching numerous publicity measures over the past 18 months, including the broadcast of TV and radio announcements, distribution of promotional leaflets, the setting up of an enquiry hotline and organising seminars in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The department has also set up outreach teams to help individual companies to migrate to ROCARS early.      "There are only three days left before the mandatory implementation of ROCARS. Shippers, freight forwarders and cross-boundary truck drivers who have not registered with us are urged to take action without delay to register now and start using the system," the spokesman added.

The Customs and Excise Department reminded that import and export declarations for shipments on or after January 1, 2012, must be completed in accordance with the Hong Kong Imports and Exports Classification List 2012 Edition. The compilation of HKIECL is based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, designed by the World Customs Organization. Hong Kong has adopted the system in full since 1992. In 2009, the WCO recommended 220 sets of amendments to the system.  To ensure that Hong Kong's classification system continues to be compatible with those of its major trading partners, Hong Kong will implement the amendments recommended by the WCO with effect from January 1, 2012. The amendments mainly relate to the categories of agriculture, chemical, paper, textiles, base metal and machinery. A summary of the changes to the HKIECL and the Hong Kong Harmonized System correlation tables can be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/trader/declaration/index.jsp).

Property market players converged at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for MIPIM Asia 2011, a preeminent real estate event in the Asia-Pacific.

Chief Executive Charles Li said attracting international companies to list in Hong Kong continues to be one of their key strategic goals.

Government economist Helen Chan reported a 4.3% YoY growth in the third quarter.

The central government of China would spare no effort to maintain Hong Hong's economic stability and prosperity, said Chinese President Hu Jintao during a meeting with Donald Tsang, chief executive of HKSARC in Honolulu.

The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a light refreshment restaurant in Yau Ma Tei to suspend business for 14 days. The operator breached the Food Business Regulation by illegally extending his food business area and allowing staff to wash food utensils in an alley. The restaurant, located on the ground floor at 15 Temple Street, was ordered to suspend business from November 10 to November 23. "In September last year and August this year, two convictions on the breach were recorded against the food establishment," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said. "A total fine of $6,600 was levied by the court and 15 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day business suspension," he added. The licensee of the food premises also had a record of two convictions in June and September last year for illegal September last year for illegal extension of his food business. A total fine of $7,200 was levied and 30 demerit points were registered. The breaches led to business suspension for seven days from December 14 to 20 last year.

Low carbon construction initiatives have substantially reduced carbon emissions during the construction stage of a major public housing project by the Hong Kong Housing Authority  at Kai Tak.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department raided a fresh provision shop in Ngau Chi Wan, Wong Tai Sin, which has been complained of for selling chilled meatas fresh meat.

Hong Kong is working towards financial stability in view of the importance of tackling counterparty risks across global financial markets, according to Financial Secretary John Tsang.

China’s shift toward policies that support economic growth spurs demand for Dim Sum bonds. This in turn reduce the benefits from buying yuan in Hong Kong.

The city’s stock exchange approved the listing plan of billionaire Cheng Yu-tung’s Chow Tai Fook Group, and the luxury retailer aims to list in Hong Kong next month.

It's a close call as the country may have narrowly missed a technical recession.

Site at Shek Mun was awarded to Fancy Luck Development while residential site near 35 South Bay Road was awarded to Ultra Well Group.