FS begins visit to Hangzhou

Exploring hangzhou: a visual journey with fs

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, began his visit to Hangzhou today (April 17).

In Hangzhou, Mr Chan attended a seminar on Hong Kong serving as a multinational supply chain management centre for Mainland enterprises co-organised by Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, as well as the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation. He briefed around 150 senior management staff of enterprises from different places of Zhejiang on the latest state of the Hong Kong economy and community. He also explained to them how Hong Kong could assist Mainland enterprises in developing their international businesses, particularly by serving as their centre for managing offshore trade and international supply chains.

Mr Chan said that with changes in the international industry and supply chains, the continued advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative as well as deepening of trade partnerships among Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership economies, and coupled with enterprises' own development needs, there will be a greater need for enterprises in Zhejiang and the Yangtze River Delta region to go global to grasp the enormous business opportunities. To prevail in this international game, and make contributions to the dual circulation development of the country, enterprises face both challenges and opportunities in logistics and transport, marketing and sales, investment and establishment of factories, overseas merchandising as well as compliance. Hong Kong's professional and high value-added services, and its broad commercial and people-to-people networks can help them achieve greater success.

Mr Chan also pointed out that with the staunch support of the country, Hong Kong possesses a number of advantages: institutional advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle; smooth flow of international capital; convergence of talent with an open and inclusive attitude; great geographical location with convenient access to the world; robust professional services alignment with international standards; as well as a safe and vibrant metropolitan life. He added that Hong Kong people are familiar with international rules and practices, and could create much value for Mainland enterprises in opening up their international business. The HKSAR Government welcomes them to establish regional headquarters in Hong Kong for managing offshore trade, and will proactively provide one-stop services to them, such as supply chain management, trade financing, consulting, and talent and corporate training.

Mr Chan also visited three innovation and technology enterprises mainly engaging in smart Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, big data; biomedical technology, new materials and smart manufacturing; and virtual reality equipment and products. Mr Chan exchanged with the representatives of these enterprises to understand their latest technology and products, solutions, and plans of development. Mr Chan introduced to them Hong Kong's latest policy initiatives in attracting businesses and talent. Mr Chan encouraged the three enterprises to make good use of Hong Kong's advantages, including its fund-raising platform and the free flow of factors production, convergence of talent and world-class professional services, and establish their foothold in Hong Kong for expanding their international business.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan had lunch with Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Zhejiang to learn about their business operations, work and daily lives.

Mr Chan also had dinner with representatives of a group of Zhejiang enterprises in the evening to exchange the latest developments in Hong Kong and Zhejiang. He also shared about Hong Kong's business environment, and the outlook and potential for business development in Hong Kong.

Mr Chan will continue his visit to Hangzhou tomorrow morning (April 18) and then proceed to Suzhou at around noon time.

FS begins visit to Hangzhou (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS begins visit to Hangzhou (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS begins visit to Hangzhou (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS begins visit to Hangzhou (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS begins visit to Hangzhou (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS begins visit to Hangzhou (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS begins visit to Hangzhou (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Stay safe during rainstorms: essential electrical safety tips for employers, contractors, and employees

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (April 30) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Source: AI-generated images