Innovation and Technology Commission and Competition Commission collaborate to combat anti-competitive conduct
The Competition Commission (Commission) announced today (June 25) that it has commenced proceedings in the Competition Tribunal against three undertakings and two individuals. The case involves Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) applications received between 2019 and 2023, in which the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and the TVP Secretariat (the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC)) identified irregularities during the vetting process and proactively referred them to the Commission for investigation.
A spokesman for the ITC said, "The ITC and the Secretariat rigorously review all information submitted by applicants and continuously enhance checking mechanisms to ensure that procurement is conducted on an independent, open, fair and competitive basis. The current case was identified and proactively reported by the ITC and the Secretariat, and certain disbursements were withheld after detection of irregularities. This reflects the effectiveness of the checking mechanisms and the high vigilance of ITC and HKPC colleagues handling the case. We have zero tolerance for anticompetitive conduct involving funding schemes and will pursue any such cases to the end."
The TVP was launched in 2016 to subsidise local enterprises/organisations in using technological services and solutions on a matching basis, to improve productivity, upgrade or transform their business processes. The HKPC serves as the TVP's Secretariat. As the TVP had achieved its original objectives, it had ceased to accept new applications after December 31, 2024.
The ITC will continue to process all applications of funding schemes to the highest standards and maintain a high level of vigilance. In recent years, the ITC has also strengthened the use of technology to analyse data concerning applicants and service providers, in order to identify suspected cases more precisely and refer them to law enforcement agencies for followup.
Source: AI-found images
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 25) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in June, covering 31 survey areas, as follows:
| District | Survey Area | June 2026 |
| First PhaseGravidtrap Index | First PhaseDensity Index |
| Central and Western | Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui | 7.4% | 1.5 |
| Eastern | North Point and Quarry Bay | 6.8% | 1.0 |
| Southern | Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau | 9.1% | 2.8 |
| Wan Chai | Tin Hau and Causeway Bay | 7.5% | 2.5 |
| Kwun Tong | Kwun Tong Central | 21.4% | 1.2 |
| Mong Kok | Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui | 0.0% | N/A |
| Sham Shui Po | Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei | 3.3% | 1.0 |
| Yau Tsim | Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei | 0.0% | N/A |
| Sha Tin | Tai Wai | 0.0% | N/A |
| Kwai Tsing | Kwai Chung West | 17.8% | 1.0 |
| Lai King | 9.6% | 1.0 |
| Tsuen Wan | Tsuen Wan Town | 8.5% | 1.4 |
| Yuen Long | Tin Shui Wai | 18.0% | 1.0 |
| District | Survey Area | June 2026 |
| Area Gravidtrap Index | Area Density Index |
| Central and Western | Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun | 8.8% | 1.9 |
| Eastern | Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho | 14.3% | 1.1 |
| Southern | Pok Fu Lam | 13.3% | 1.5 |
| Wan Chai | Happy Valley and Tai Hang | 4.3% | 1.2 |
| Kowloon City | Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan | 7.9% | 1.1 |
| Kai Tak | 9.4% | 1.2 |
| Sham Shui Po | Cheung Sha Wan | 29.2% | 1.7 |
| Wong Tai Sin | Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong | 11.1% | 1.2 |
| North | Sheung Shui | 10.0% | 1.0 |
| Sai Kung | Sai Kung Town | 11.3% | 1.2 |
| Tseung Kwan O East | 3.4% | 1.3 |
| Tseung Kwan O North | 12.9% | 1.1 |
| Sha Tin | Ma On Shan | 18.5% | 1.1 |
| Sha Tin East | 8.9% | 1.5 |
| Tsuen Wan | Tsuen Wan West | 6.5% | 1.0 |
| Tuen Mun | Tuen Mun South | 7.3% | 1.3 |
| Yuen Long | Hung Shui Kiu and Ping Shan | 5.3% | 1.0 |
| Yuen Long Town | 6.9% | 1.0 |
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April every year. The indexes are higher from May to June. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. As compared with last year, the temperature began to climb earlier this year and the rainfall in June increased substantially, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. Depending on factors like rainfall, the indexes may rise further, but the overall trend of gravidtrap indexes this year is similar to those of previous years.
The FEHD has also carried out a series of actions, including:
- conducting risk assessments to identify locations with more serious mosquito infestation, so as to carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control work, including stepping up inspections, eliminating mosquito breeding and potential breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations;
- convening special meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders, such as construction site contractors, schools and property management companies, in strengthening venues' mosquito control work;
- organising exhibitions with the relevant departments and stakeholders, and distributing leaflets and posters; and
- notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management companies and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.
During the follow-up actions and following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers at a construction site, a park, four public housing estates, four private housing estates and two private premises in Southern District, Kwun Tong District, Sham Shui Po District, North District, Sai Kung District and Yuen Long District, the FEHD has issued 12 statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
- tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
- remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
- check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
- change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
- properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
- properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
- scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization andtaking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
