CS officiates at EMSTF 30th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (August 3) officiated at the 30th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund (EMSTF).
Held at the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) Headquarters Building, the ceremony was themed "Intelligent E&M Co-creating Tomorrow", symbolising the EMSTF’s continuous efforts in driving innovation and technology development and enhancing service quality to forge a better future.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan said that over the past three decades since its establishment, the EMSTF has developed from being primarily responsible for maintaining electrical and mechanical (E&M) equipment into the "guardian of E&M facilities" and "innovation facilitator" for various government departments. It has always played a pioneering role in actively promoting the digital and smart transformation of public services. He encouraged the EMSTF to continue embracing innovation and striving for excellence, assisting government departments in accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies so that members of the public can enjoy higher-quality and more convenient services, while injecting sustained momentum into Hong Kong's high-quality development.
The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services and General Manager of the EMSTF, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, said in his speech that the EMSTF will enhance service quality and efficiency through smart E&M technologies, lead industry transformation with I&T, and work closely with various client departments to implement various innovative ideas, achieving higher-quality public services.
Afterwards, accompanied by Mr Poon, the guests toured the exhibition to learn about the solutions developed by the EMSD's engineering teams to address daily operational challenges. These solutions include the application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, robotics, and the Internet of Things to strengthen governance, enhance productivity and work safety.
Also attending the ceremony were the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Deputy Director-General of the Social Development Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Ye Shuiqiu; and the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau.
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund (EMSTF) 30th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony was held at the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) Headquarters Building today (August 3). Photo shows the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (third right), and the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn (second right), accompanied by the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services and General Manager of the EMSTF, Mr Poon Kwok-ying (first right), touring the exhibition to learn how the EMSD applies artificial intelligence and drone technology to perform automated high-mast lighting inspection, enhancing work safety and efficiency. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund (EMSTF) 30th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony was held at the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Headquarters Building today (August 3). Photo shows the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services and General Manager of the EMSTF, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, delivering a speech at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund 30th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony was held at the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Headquarters Building today (August 3). Photo shows the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, delivering a speech at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases for second quarter of 2026
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (August 4).
The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the second quarter of 2026, provisionally estimated at $27.2 billion, increased by 0.4% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants increased by 2.5% to $8.8 billion.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.4% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier.
Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the second quarter of 2026 with the second quarter of 2025, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased by 1.5% in value and 0.7% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 1.6% in value and 1.0% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops decreased by 1.5% in value and 2.5% in volume. Total receipts of bars decreased by 3.8% in value and 4.6% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts decreased by 2.7% in value and 3.6% in volume.
Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.5% in both value and volume in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the preceding quarter.
Comparing the first half of 2026 with the same period in 2025, total restaurant receipts increased by 0.8% in value but decreased by 0.1% in volume.
To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.
Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector increased by 0.9%, increased by 0.6% and decreased by 0.5% respectively in April, May and June 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.
After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 0.2%, decreased by 0.2% and decreased by 1.3% respectively in April, May and June 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that business of restaurants was largely steady recently. The value of total restaurant receipts increased by 0.4% in the second quarter over a year earlier, rendering an increase of 0.8% in the first half of the year.
Looking ahead, continued economic expansion, rising local incomes, and a steady increase in inbound visitors are expected to provide support to restaurant businesses. Yet, external uncertainties still constitute downside risks. The Government will continue to closely monitor the potential impacts of external developments on restaurant businesses.
Further information
Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the first quarter of 2026 as well as the provisional figures for the second quarter of 2026.
Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the first quarter of 2026 and the provisional indices for the second quarter of 2026.
Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.
The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the second quarter of 2026 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of theC&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from September 18, 2026.
The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases". Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540).
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of theC&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; e-mail: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
