Business Facilitation Measures Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Use of I&T

Join the development of the Trade Single Window to provide a one-stop electronic platform for the trading community to lodge Business-to-Government (B2G) documents for meeting all import and export regulatory requirements, under the coordination of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) (Documents covered: Import/Export Licence for Pesticides)

Saving time and cost to the trading community in lodging trade documents to the government electronically round-the-clock through a centralised platform. More efficient trade control and facilitation for online services and customs cooperation with other economies will be available to the government

Import and Export

Completed

Strengthening support services

Conduct weekly updating of an excerpt of the Local Fishing Vessel Register on the website of this department

Allowing quick and user-friendly search by the public of an individual registered fishing vessel apart from having an overview of the registered fishing vessels in Hong Kong

Fishing

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Improving guidance on licence application

Refine the presentation for the seminars for the food business trade by focusing more on the DOs and DON’Ts issues commonly encountered by the applicants and providing more examples for better illustration of application requirements

(Applicable to General Restaurant & Light Refreshment Restaurant Licence only)

Enhancing applicants’ understanding of building safety requirements on restaurant licence applications to avoid unnecessary non-compliance issues and submission of revised plans

Food Trade

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Collaborate with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on introducing new forms for certifying food business premises are free of unauthorised building works (UBWs) and signboards under the Signboard Validation Scheme (SVS)

(Applicable to General Restaurant & Light Refreshment Restaurant Licence only)

Enabling promotion of building safety through the SVS and streamlined registered building professionals’ certification process by submitting only one form to certify free of UBWs and validate unauthorised signboards

Food Trade

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Collaborate with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) on updating the set of referral rules with a view to avoiding unnecessary referrals from FEHD to the Buildings Department (BD)
(Applicable to General Restaurant & Light Refreshment Restaurant Licence only)

Resulting in more efficient licensing process and improved BD’s performance in providing advisory service to licensing authorities

Food Trade

Completed

Regulatory changes

Explore in collaboration with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department the enhancement to the licensing regime by implementation of self-certification from Authorized Persons (AP)/Registered Structural Engineers (RSE)
(Applicable to General Restaurant & Light Refreshment Restaurant Licence only)

Enabling better utilisation of the professional knowledge of AP/RSE in the food business licensing regime, shortened time taken to obtain a licence and minimising the need for submission/referral of revised/alteration plans

Food Trade

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Regulatory changes

Streamline and expedite the renewal process of the Certificate of Airworthiness by introducing a new instrument, “HKAR-181 Approval”, for qualified organisations to conduct assessment/inspection in the renewal process

Greater flexibility for airlines to plan for the necessary assessment/inspections, speeding up the renewal process by from one month after submission of the renewal applications to on the same day of application, and enabling the airlines to better optimise flight schedules to achieve the best business operation

Aviation

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Regulatory changes

Extend the validity period of the dumping licence from 1 year to 3 years

Reducing trade’s administrative work in licence renewal by minimising the number of renewal applications required for the current Dumping Licence holders

Waste disposal

Completed

Use of I&T

Join the Phase 1 development of the Trade Single Window which provides a one-stop electronic platform for the trading community to lodge Business-to-Government (B2G) documents for meeting all import and export regulatory requirements (Licences covered: Hong Kong Natural Sand Final User Certificate and Sand Removal Permit)

Bringing time and cost savings to the trading community in lodging trade documents to the government electronically round-the-clock through a centralised platform. More efficient trade control and facilitation for online services and customs cooperation with other economies for the government

Import and Export

Completed

Use of I&T

Develop the “Centralised Explosives Licensing and Management System (CELIMS)” to allow online licence and permit applications, payment of fees and stock control of Category 1 dangerous goods

1. More efficient licensing process with electronic submission and computerised workflow which will bring much convenience to the licence applicants

2. Obviating the need for applicants to visit Civil Engineering and Development Department to collect licences physically, facilitate business by providing end-to-end electronic services, and reduce paper consumption and administrative effort in processing application

Cat. 1 Dangerous Goods industry

Completed

Use of I&T

Develop a computer system for online renewal of dumping licences

Shortening processing time for renewal application of dumping licences

Waste disposal

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Strengthening support services

Provide a land-accessible storage space at Kowloon Government Explosives Depot for the industry to store pyrotechnic special effects materials (PSEM)

Reducing the marine transportation expenditure and cost of production of special effects, which would facilitate the business of smaller special effects companies and individual Special Effects Operators without substantial investment to set up their own PSEM stores and facilitating the development of the film and entertainment industry

Special effects operators

Completed

Use of I&T

Streamline the work flow of processing discharge permit applications by enhancing the existing computer system “Licence Application Processing and Inspection Monitoring System (LAPIMS)”

Improving work efficiency and reducing time for processing discharge permit applications and issuing discharge permits

Special effects operators

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Design and produce a new TV Announcement in the Public Interest (API) to promote and enhance public awareness that the pyrotechnic special effects materials (PSEM) for any entertainment programmes shall be handled and used by licensed special effects operators in accordance with the Entertainment Special Effects Ordinance

Enhancing public awareness of the statutory and safety requirements for the use of PSEM through use of API, which could facilitate the business development of the industry

Special effects operators

Completed

Use of I&T

Implement fully the E-levy System

Providing an electronic platform for travel agents to make levy payments through the System and handle related matters online, for example, to generate e-levy stamps for instant issue of receipts to customers online. With the phasing out of the franking machines, travel agents can streamline work procedures and save administrative costs involved (e.g. postage) and provide more user-friendly services to customers

Travel Agents

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Regulatory changes

Introduce a new licensing regime for Trust or Company Service Providers

Enhancing Hong Kong’s regulatory regime for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, enabling entrepreneurs to identify and engage properly licensed trust or company service providers, safeguarding the integrity of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, and adding to our credibility as a trusted and competitive place for doing business

Financial services

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Introduce a one-stop registration and incorporation process for Open-ended Fund companies in collaboration with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and Inland Revenue Department (IRD). Applicants for registration and incorporation of a new Open-ended Fund company only need to deliver the application documents and fees to SFC. After approval of registration, SFC will pass the relevant documents and fees to the Companies Registry (CR) for the issue of “Certificate of Incorporation of Open-ended Fund Company” and a “Business Registration Certificate” in one go

Simplifying registration and incorporation process, reducing the procedures and saving applicants’ time to make separate submissions to SFC, CR and IRD

Financial services

Completed

Regulatory changes

Introduce enhanced regulatory measures to tackle money lending-related malpractices.  These include, for example, measures to require prospective borrowers to honestly disclose the involvement of any intermediary to money lenders; measures which require money lenders to obtain written consents of loan referees before entering into loan agreement, etc.

Providing greater facilitation in the conclusion of transactions lawfully and safeguarding the interests of both the borrowers and money lenders

Financial services

Completed

Regulatory changes

Amend the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) to improve the clarity and operation of the Ordinance and to further facilitate business in Hong Kong

Facilitating business compliance and reducing compliance cost (e.g. expanding the scope of financial reporting exemption to cover more companies; providing alternative means of disclosure of the names of directors of subsidiary companies; updating the technical accounting and reporting provisions in respect of financial reporting)

Multiple Trades

Completed

Use of I&T

Enhance the IT system to support digital wallets service using Apple Pay and Google Pay as additional payment channels for the e-services at CR eFiling Mobile Application

More convenient and user-friendly payment options for using the Companies Registry’s e-services (e.g. applications for incorporation of local companies) through the CR eFiling Mobile Application

Multiple Trades

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Regulatory changes

Strengthen control on the travel industry while at the same time cater for its different business operation modes through a newly introduced Travel Industry Ordinance. Under the new framework, travel agents are no longer required to operate at a location open to the public (i.e. they can choose to operate on the Internet only)

Reduced administrative work for business starters in applying for travel agent licences, greater flexibility on staff planning when setting up a business and conducting online business

Travel Agents

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Streamlining procedures

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board to grant standing instructions to the Secretary of the Pharmacy and Poisons (Listed Sellers of Poisons) Committee to approve those applications for Listed Sellers of Poisons without the need for discussion in the Committee meetings if the applicants have no direct or personal conviction records

Shortening processing time by obviating the need for discussion in the relevant Committee meetings

Pharmaceutical Industry

Completed

Streamlining procedures

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board to grant standing instructions for the Secretary of the Pharmacy and Poisons (Wholesale Licences) Committee to approve those applications for change of address and/or addition of warehouse of licensed wholesale dealers without the need for discussion in the Committee meetings if the pre-approval inspection of the premises as well as the relevant documents and record are satisfactory

Shortening processing time by obviating the need for discussion in the relevant Committee meetings

Pharmaceutical Industry

Completed

Streamlining procedures

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board to grant standing instructions for Assistant Director (Drug), the Department of Health to approve those applications for premises of authorized sellers of poisons without the need for discussion by Board members if the applicants and their personnel have no direct or personal conviction record

Shortening processing time by obviating the need for discussion by Board members

Pharmaceutical Industry

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Arrange and conduct pre-submission regulatory interviews for the applications of clinical trial certificate involving First in Human (FIH) studies and the trial medicines are Advanced Therapy Products (ATP)

Enabling the applicants to get familiarized with the requirements thus enhancing the completeness and tidiness of the application dossiers and reducing the “back and forth” time for submission

Pharmaceutical Industry

Completed

Use of I&T

Develop an electronic platform for registration of private healthcare facilities under the new Private Healthcare Facilities Bill

Providing an efficient and user-friendly interface for licence application, communication with applicants and facilitating applicants to track their application progress

Healthcare

Completed

Use of I&T

Implement the Pharmaceuticals License Application and Movement Monitoring System (PLAMMS) Phase II to extend the on-line platform to all applications of Import and Export licence/certificates of pharmaceutical products including dangerous drugs

Reducing processing time by enabling round-the-clock submission and licence print out in the applicant’s office upon approval

Pharmaceutical Industry

Completed

Use of I&T

Upgrade the Electronic Radiation Licensing and Services System (ERLS) in order to enhance its performance, increase its capacity and extend its coverage

Enhancing performance and increasing capacity of ERLS on processing radiation licences under Cap. 303; improving user-friendliness of ERLS so as to facilitate the use by the trade; extending coverage of ERLS to allow online application for import licences under Cap. 60K

Healthcare

Completed

Use of I&T

Develop a computerized project for online submission and issuance of Clinical Trial and Medicinal Test Certificates

Reduced processing time by creating and using an on-line platform for submission, uploading of supporting documents, reviewing the progress and issuance of the approved certificates

Pharmaceutical Industry

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Improving guidance on licence application

Extend the time for Q&A session in the monthly briefing session

Providing the prospective school operators with more useful information right after the briefing sessions, enabling sharing of the responses to Q&A among different audiences at the same time and reduction of further enquiries from prospective school operators

Education

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Streamline the procedures of initial vetting of new applications for registration of non-local courses under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance (Cap. 493) by advancing the referral to the external authority for academic assessment and processing of assessment fees

Reducing turnaround time for course registration by around 15 calendar days under this new arrangement

Education

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Streamline the procedures on handling cases relating to ex-school premises without any approved building plans/records

Resulting in more streamlined and facilitating application process; reducing time for processing applications

Education

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Improving guidance on licence application

Upload application tips with respect to the common mistakes/errors found in the applications for approval of domestic gas appliances to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department’s website to facilitate importers to make reference in preparing applications and the required submissions

Facilitating importers to prepare their applications for approval of domestic gas appliances, which in turn helps the Gas Standards Office to process their applications effectively and efficiently

Importer for Domestic Gas Appliance

Completed

Regulatory changes

Update and revise the Code of Practice “Avoidance of Damage to Gas Pipes” so as to provide up-to-date and more comprehensive technical guidelines to works departments, consultants, contractors, property management agents, gas pipes owners and other relevant parties who would involve in works in the vicinity of gas pipes

Enabling relevant parties to be better equipped to ascertain the location of the gas pipes concerned and provide adequate protection measures to avoid damage to the gas pipes

Excavation and Building Works

Completed

Strengthening support services

Engage with the industry to review/update the Building Energy Code and Energy Audit Code under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance

Enabling greater collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to solicit the upgrade of energy efficiency standards in buildings with reference to technology advancement and international market trend in order to combat with the climate change; direct and active engagement with the trade throughout the review to ensure views/opinions are reasonably incorporated and the Codes are practically viable

E&M

Completed

Strengthening support services

Organise “Innovative Technology Day” to allow startups to showcase their latest electrical and mechanical (E&M) related Innovation & Technology (I&T) solutions

Facilitating the E&M trade (especially startups) in introducing their products and services to the public sector and providing an opportunity for the government departments to tap into innovative solutions for improvement of services

E&M

Completed

Strengthening support services

Develop an online e-portal “E&M InnoPortal” to provide a platform for greater innovation and technology (I&T) collaboration among the trades, start-ups and universities, etc. with a view to promoting and driving research and development (R&D) and wider application of I&T solutions in the electrical and mechanical (E&M) related fields and energy saving

Facilitating the trade to identify government venues for trial of suitable projects, conducting prototype testing and pilot projects and sharing of the validated performance reports of trial cases on the platform with the public with a view to jointly promoting and driving the R&D and application of E&M related I&T

E&M

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Review/update the Guidance Notes for the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation and publish a new revision with updated standards and guidance for complying with the requirements of the Regulation

Facilitating the trade’s compliance with the requirements under the Regulation thereby ensuring household electrical product safety

E&M

Completed

Regulatory changes

Publish a new revision of “Code of Practice for the Design and Construction of Lifts and Escalators” (Design Code) to harmonize with the new European (EN) standards (i.e. EN81-20:2014 & EN81-50:2014)

Reducing effort by trades on assessing the compliance of their models of lifts/escalators with the local requirements for installation in Hong Kong

E&M

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Improving guidance on licence application

Conduct briefings for the relevant trade and stakeholders in the development of the producer responsibility scheme (PRS) on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (WPRS)

Enhancing stakeholders’ understanding of the relevant statutory requirements with better preparation for the implementation of the WPRS

Providers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Completed

Strengthening support services

Launch Trial Schemes for suppliers and sellers of the producer responsibility scheme (PRS) on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (WPRS) – suppliers to test out filling of specified forms, and sellers to provide free removal service to their consumers before the full implementation of the WPRS

Enabling the relevant stakeholders to have hand-on experience to provide removal services

Providers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Set up a website for introducing the producer responsibility scheme (PRS) on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (WPRS) to public, suppliers and sellers

Enhancing understanding of relevant stakeholders and members of the public on the relevant statutory requirements to facilitate a smooth implementation of the WPRS

Providers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Provide a hotline service on enquiries related to the implementation of the producer responsibility scheme (PRS) on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (WPRS)

Facilitating the relevant stakeholders to better understand and to comply with the relevant statutory requirements under the WPRS

Providers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Completed

Use of I&T

Participate in Commerce and Economic Development Bureau’s Trade Single Window Phase 1 for online application for import and export licences of scheduled chemicals through a one-stop electronic platform

Facilitating the trade to meet relevant import and export regulatory requirements. Filling of paper form and submission to/collection from the Environmental Protection Department in person is no longer needed

Import and Export

Completed

Streamline the process of obtaining confirmation/direction from the Environmental Protection Department  for the disposal of “Part A” chemical waste by issuing multiple-use direction with one-year validity to chemical waste producers for making deliveries of common “Part A” chemical waste (such as asbestos waste, antibiotics, Part I Poison)

Improving chemical waste collection efficiency; saving time and storage space of the chemical waste producers; increasing turn-over rate for chemical waste collectors

Chemical waste producers

Completed

Regulatory changes

Expand the coverage of pre-requisite requirements on recognized academic qualifications and the definition on relevant working experience for registration as asbestos supervisors

Encouraging more personnel with alternative academic qualifications with relevant building construction experiences to seek registration as asbestos supervisors, in order to enlarge the pool of registered asbestos supervisors for carrying out asbestos removal works in the aging buildings

Asbesto removal companies

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Revise the Guidance Note on Safe Handling of Small Quantities of Intact Corrugated Asbestos Cement Sheets (CACS) to replace the reassurance air test with work area air test as the criterion for satisfactory completion of the asbestos abatement works

Reducing overall time, and hence the cost, for completion of small-scale removal of CACS in old buildings, as well as reducing disruption to the premises owners

Asbesto removal companies

Completed

Strengthening support services

Conduct a review of the Recycling Fund in respect of the funding scope, application criteria and requirements, etc. with the aim of better facilitating the recycling trade to upgrade its operational standard and efficiency as well as supporting its sustainable development in the long run

Facilitating the upgrading of the local recycling operations and efficiency, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong’s overall recycling capability and supporting its sustainable development in the long run

Recycling trade

Completed

Use of I&T

Provide an electronic means of submission for (i) suppliers to submit applications for registration as registered suppliers, returns for levy assessment and annual audit reports, requests for recycling labels; and (ii) sellers to submit applications for endorsement of removal service

Facilitating the relevant stakeholders to submit applications and documents through electronic means

Providers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Completed

Strengthening support services

Engage with the restaurant trade to promote installation of effective cooking fume control equipment, namely electrostatic precipitator (EP) before commencement of business operation for restaurants with cooking involving frying, deep frying, charbroiling, roasting or similar processes emitting strong cooking fumes or odour

Facilitating the restaurant trade to avoid pollution emissions and complaints by neighbours, through compliance with the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (as EP is a well proven and cost effective device in abating cooking fume emissions and its installation as a standard equipment in the ventilation system is recommended at the fitting out stage before commencement of business operation) and avoiding retrofitting of EP at a later stage which is costly and will disrupt the normal business of the restaurants

Food Trade

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Improving guidance on licence application

Adopt a collaborative and proactive liaison approach to enhance the work process of General Building Plan (GBP) submissions and acceptance inspections of fire service installations in new buildings, such as conducting the pre-inspection meetings among the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Authorized Persons and the contractors, offering priority for minor amendments of GBP, providing document checklists to the trade for reference and sharing the relevant materials & information on FSD’s website, etc.

Enhancing transparency of the work of FSD and facilitating the trade’s understanding on FSD’s requirements and work flows; facilitating resources management of the trade by formulating a mutually agreed inspection schedule; increasing efficiency and enhanced quality of submissions/works by sharing with the trade of common irregularities in building plan submissions and acceptance inspections, thus reducing re-submission of plans or re-inspection of the premises and alleviating FSD’s workload

Construction

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Adopt a “one-stop shop” approach to facilitate handling applications for E-Waste Disposal Licences

Enhancing customer-friendliness by providing a “one-stop shop” service for the applicants. Views from different units of the Fire Services Department (FSD) will be collated by a case officer and relayed to the applicant; enhanced efficiency in FSD by deploying a case officer to handle each individual licence applications

Waste disposal

Completed

Use of I&T

Introduce the Online Booking System for Dangerous Goods Vehicle (DGV) Inspection

Enhancing customer-friendliness by facilitating applicants to make appointment online at any time; alleviating the workload of the Fire Services Department for handling telephone booking of about 2,000 nos. of the application of DGV licence and renewal per year

Transportation

Completed

Use of I&T

Introduce the E-payment System for licence applications, Fire Services Certificates and matters relating to Fire Service Installation Contractors

Enhancing customer-friendliness by allowing the trade/applicant to pay the prescribed fees by online payment; increasing overall efficiency by speeding up the payment process; alleviating workload in Fire Services Department for handling different fees/charges involved in licence applications and work processing, etc.

Multiple Trades

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Establish the Private Columbaria Task Force to provide “one-stop shop” service to facilitate the application of Private Columbaria

Enhancing customer-friendliness by providing a “one-stop shop” service for the applicants; enhancing efficiency in the Fire Services Department by deploying case officers to handle the licence applications and deal with all fire safety matters in private columbaria

Private Columbaria

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Review the list of items regarding submission of layout plans in “A Guide to Application for Restaurant Licences” issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to achieve greater flexibility to the trade

Enhancing efficiency and flexibility of the trade by providing a revised list of items which are not required to be shown on the layout plans; saving the resources and cost of the trade by reducing the number of resubmission of plans due to minor changes; enhancing efficiency of the Fire Services Department as case officer can focus more on fire safety-related matters

Food Trade

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Improving guidance on licence application

Provide a new application guidebook “A Guide to Application for Marine Restaurant Licence”

Enhancing applicants’ understanding of the information required and facilitating the trade in application for that licence

Food Trade

Completed

Use of I&T

Further enhance internal Licensing Management Information System (LMIS) by sending a notification instantly by means of Short Message Service (SMS) to inform applicants side that the provisional licence/permit is due to expire 90, 60 and 30 days in advance, as a reminder for the applicant to expedite action to comply with all licensing requirements for the issue of a full licence/permit. Besides, the applicants side will also be informed through SMS to collect the licence/permit upon issue of a full licence/permit

Enhancing communication with applicants and more use of the online tracking facilities by the applicants to track and monitor the progress of their applications

Multiple Trades

Completed

Use of I&T

Develop an online system for provision of different types of e-services such as issue of renewal notices or reminders on outstanding payment for liquor licences by Short Message Service (SMS)/email

Enhancing transparency of the licensing procedures and more timely submission of licence application by giving an early notice to the licensees

Food Trade

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Streamline the processing of application for addition of a new portion, which is not involved in any food business and not under application nor covered by a restaurant licence or a certificate of compliance issued by the Home Affairs Department (“standalone premises”), into the liquor-licensed premises with a restaurant licence in the same hotel in collaboration with the Liquor Licensing Board

Streamlining process and shortening time taken in processing liquor licence applications of standalone premises in hotels

Food Trade

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Streamline the process in handling the revised plans in application for new food business licences and that in alteration to approved plans of licensed food premises by working out scenarios in which no referral to the Buildings Department is required or where certification by Authorised Persons will suffice

Resulting in streamlined process and shortened time in processing revised plans thereby speeding up new licence application and alteration cases in licensed premises

Food Trade

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Collaborate with the Fire Services Department (FSD) to streamline the processing of applications for full food business licences and layout alterations by identifying items not required to be shown on the plans and revisiting referral rules

Resulting in streamlined process in determining the conditions under which referral to FSD is not necessary so as to save the time of handling applications for licences or layout alteration

Food Trade

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Strengthening support services

Publish excavation permit (XP) data, including the XP location/extent, and permit validity period as shown on the XP issued by Highways Department (HyD), in digital format to the government Public Sector Information (PSI)

Enabling better planning of XP applicants’ excavation works by using the XP data and saving HyD’s time for handling enquiries from the public on such data as the public could have access to the data directly

Utility companies and developers

Completed

Use of I&T

Provide new functions in the Excavation Permit Management System (XPMS) so that excavation permit (XP) applicant could fill in essential tree information for the proposed excavation works affecting roadside trees using pre-set standardised input field in the system to improve the quality of the submission provided by the XP applicants which will facilitate the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to process the applications promptly

Reducing the processing time for seeking LCSD’s agreement if the quality of submission by the XP applicant is improved; savings in LCSD’s time spent on commenting poor quality submissions

Utility companies and developers

Completed

Use of I&T

Upgrade the Geographic Information System (GIS) map functions of Excavation Permit Management System (XPMS) to improve the performance and user-friendliness of the map, including adding snap function to the drawing tools so that users can draw on a GIS map in XPMS more easily and accurately to illustrate their proposed excavation extent

Shortening time for the trade and government users to make excavation permit applications with the new GIS map functions after enhancement of the system

Utility companies and developers

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Streamlining procedures

Streamline the procedures for processing applications for hotel and guesthouse licences and publish more targets in relation to hotel and guesthouse licence applications under the new workflows

Improving transparency and greater facilitation in trade’s planning of work; greater accountability to the public by the government by setting out more realistic target times attributable to relevant departments

Hotel & Guesthouse

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Encourage Authorised Persons to liaise with hotel operators for early incorporation of hotel licensing requirements as much as possible at the stage of building plans submission to Buildings Department to facilitate early preparation for hotel licensing and better co-ordination and planning of works with a view to shortening the lead time for works required to obtain the hotel licences

Saving time for obtaining hotel licences due to earlier planning of licence application; better planning by the developer/hotel operator and avoidance of abortive works through harmonisation of requirements; more efficient processing of a well-planned application by the licensing authority

Hotel

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Provide a pre-submission enquiry service for purpose-built hotels on specific hotel licensing issues/requirements so that they can plan the works well before submission of hotel licence application

Enabling early planning for licensing applications and avoidance of abortive works with specific advice provided by the licensing authority during the construction stage

Hotel

Completed

Regulatory changes

Explore the feasibility of waiving the requirements of registering drainage plans for new licence applications of hotels/guesthouses/club premises/karaoke establishments at purpose-built premises and submitting drainage alteration plans prior to carrying out improvement works in existing licensed premises (including non-purpose built ones)

Avoided double regulation on the drainage works by only requiring applicants to comply with building plan approval and minor works control systems under the Buildings Department

Hotel/guesthouse/ clubhouse/karaoke establishment

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Relax the specification of moveable furniture items on layout plans for Certificates of Compliance of recreational clubs such as sofas, tables and chairs on the layout plans for club licences to reduce the need for alteration applications whenever there are changes in these items

Saving trade’s effort in making applications for alteration whenever there is change in furniture layout shown on the approved layout plans; saving government’s resources in processing applications for change of furniture layout

Clubhouse

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Provide greater flexibility in the deployment of game devices/machines in the Family Amusement Centre premises by allowing the number of approved games deployed in the premises to be less than those on the approved game list

Allowing greater flexibility for the trade in the deployment of games by the operator without the need for operators to provide justifications/showing evidences to account for shortage of approved games deployed in the premises during inspection by the Police

Family amusement  centre

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Explore the feasibility of reducing the processing time for the renewal of Amusements with Prizes Licence (AWPL) in which no alterations/changes of approved games are required and the concerned premises are covered by a valid Places of Public Entertainment Licence

Shortening time for the trade in obtaining a renewed AWPL

Family amusement centre

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Identify possible streamlining of the process for obtaining standalone liquor licences for hotel lounges in collaboration with the Liquor Licensing Board (LLB)

Greater facilitation to the trade in obtaining liquor licences in hotels with approved licences

Hotel

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Multiple Trades 

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Regulatory changes

Extend the validity period of Arms Dealers’ Licence, Licence for Possession (for shooting club) and Licence for Possession (for corporation providing armed security guarding services) from one year to two years

Securing a higher degree of stability to the trade in operating their business with an extension of the renewal cycle

Arms-related

Completed

Use of I&T

Explore the provision of e-application, e-notification and e-payment services for licences issued by the Police Licensing Office (including but not limited to Massage Establishment Licence, Pawnbroker Licence, Security Personnel Permit, Temporary Liquor Licence, Licence for Possession (Security Guard))

Greater convenience and efficiency to the trade as they could submit applications and pay the licence fees online; more timely licence renewal as the trade could be informed of their licence status in advance; enhanced overall efficiency of the processing of licences and permits by the Police Licensing Office

Multiple Trades

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Use of I&T

Enhance the public search services by allowing access via mobile devices to the e-services “Business Registration Number Enquiry” and “Application for Supply of Information on the Business Register”

Providing greater facilitation to the public to conduct public search of business particulars on the Business Register via mobile devices; enhancing use of e-services at GovHK

Multiple Trades

Completed

Use of I&T

Accept payment through Faster Payment System to provide a new payment channel for business operators to pay Business Registration fee and levy anytime and anywhere

Resulting in greater convenience and customer experience for business operators to pay Business Registration fee and levy anytime and anywhere; promoting the development of new payment products and services in Hong Kong

Multiple Trades

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Use of I&T

Adopt the e-Government Demand Note (e-GDN) for employment agency licences

Enhancing service quality of Employment Agencies Administration, reducing processing time for various types of licence related applications and more environmental friendly

Employment agencies

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Conduct a special round of promotional visit to the employment agencies (EAs)

Facilitating EAs engaged in placements of foreign domestic helpers to comply with the new regulatory requirements by visiting all of them and reminding EA personnel of the latest requirements under the newly enacted Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 and the revised Code of Practice for Employment Agencies

Employment agencies

Completed

Use of I&T

Implement electronic fax (e-Fax) for employemnt agency (EA) licence related applications

Resulting in improved operating efficiency of the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) and shortened processing time for various types of licence related applications as well as avoidance of mislay or loss when receiving and delivering forms, demand notes, letters, etc. from/to EAs

Employment agencies

Completed

Use of I&T

Migrate the Employment Agency (EA) Portal to the Web Content Hosting (WCH) Service

Enabling better resilience and security for EA Portal, paving the way for the e-services for EAs

Employment agencies

Completed

Use of I&T

Revamp the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) System covering the computer system and the database of the EAA

Resulting in more reliable and secure system and enhanced efficiency of EAA in processing various types of licence related applications which provides the foundation of the e-services for the employment agencies

Employment agencies

Completed

Use of I&T

Introduce e-Services for employment agency licence related applications

Enhanced convenience to the trade in submission of various licence related applications, shortened processing time and greater transparency, enhanced image of the Labour Department as well as HKSAR Government as a whole

Employment agencies

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Use of I&T

Implement an e-channel for online submission of service order applications for the e-Alert Service for Authorized Institutions (AIs) under the Banking Ordinance (Cap. 155)

Providing greater security and convenience for AIs in submission of service order applications; enhancing operational efficiency of both the AIs and the Land Registry

Banking sector

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Use of I&T

Implement a one-stop sale and supply system for survey and map products

Improving the government-to- citizen (G2C), the government-to-business (G2B) and the government-to-government (G2G) services in the sale and supply of the full range of survey and map products of the Lands Department by providing a round-the-clock services for ordering, payment and product delivery. In particular, a customer will find it more easy and convenient to purchase the digital and paper map products on the Internet without being necessarily to do it at the Survey and Mapping Office’s Map Sales Counters

Land development

Completed

Strengthening support services

Include Short Term Tenancy (STTs) information in GeoInfo Map

Providing greater convenience and ease to the public and interested parties in searching and viewing the locations and associated information about STTs via the Internet using GeoInfo Map, which might facilitate better land utilization

Non-profit making organisations

Completed

Strengthening support services

Include Public Open Space information in GeoInfo Map

Providing greater convenience and ease to the public and interested parties in searching and viewing the locations and associated information about Public Open Space via the Internet using GeoInfo Map, which might facilitate better and creative use of public open space

Land development

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Introduce guidelines to facilitate rental assessment of private garden Short Term Tenancies (STTs) by Urban District Lands Offices

More streamlined rental assessment for private garden STTs

Private individuals

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Streamlining procedures

Introduce multiple payment options for the settlement of licence fee, administration fees for making alterations, transfer of licences and changing shop signs including - 

i.      by Bank Automated Teller Machine (ATM);

ii.     by PPS;

iii.    through the internet;

iv.    by post;

v.     at post offices;

vi.    at convenience stores; or

vii.   existing practice: at shroff office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department Headquarters

Providing more user-friendly services and greater convenience for successful applicants to pay their licence fees through various options

Entertainment

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Issue licences in 3 working days through registered mail after confirmation of payment through General Demand Notes

Allowing more time saving and convenience for the successful applicants in choosing to collect the licences either in person at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department Headquarters or receive them through registered mails

Entertainment

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Regulatory changes

Relax the requirement of “certifying the copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of Hong Kong Company by the company director” for Certificate of Registry (CoR) applications; the Company Registry’s online Integrated Companies Registry Information System (ICRIS) will be used instead for verification purpose

Providing greater convenience to the applicants in the application process

Shipping

Completed

Use of I&T

Allow ship owners/agents to submit electronic certificates through the Marine Department’s Electronic Business System (eBS) for port clearance formalities

Providing greater ease and convenience for ship owners/agents to submit electronic certificates through eBS instead of submitting hard copies at counters; enhancing efficiency to process the port formalities

Shipping

Completed

Use of I&T

Implement a new electronic service on the Marine Department’s Electronic Business System for individual applicants to apply for the Pleasure Vessel Operator Grade 2 Certificate of Competency examination

Providing greater ease and convenience for individual applicants to apply for the Pleasure Vessel Operator Grade 2 Certificate of Competency examination on eBS without the need of pre-registration

Maritime/Shipping

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Use of I&T

Launch the Import and Export Permits module in Phase 1 of the Trade Single Window System

Enabling provision of enhanced e-services, including enhanced e-submission, new e-tracking, enhanced e-processing, new instant e-payment and new e-licence services to traders hence greater convenience and customer experience in their application for and the timely grant of the permits

Import and Export

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Regulatory changes

Dispense with the submission of dividend accounts in bankruptcy cases from outside trustees, which is not a statutory requirement

Shortening processing time for distribution of dividends to creditors by outside trustees and saving the time and costs by the outside trustees in preparing the accounts and by the Official Receiver’s Office in checking the same

Multiple Trades

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Streamlining procedures

Revise the planning application forms under sections 12A and 16 of the Town Planning Ordinance for user-friendliness and to provide a machine-readable format of the forms. The 5 individual forms for section 16 applications are to be combined into three and the related guidance notes for planning applications are to be updated accordingly

Promoting user-friendliness through revisions made to the planning application forms including combining the 5 individual forms for section 16 applications into three and enhancing input and retrieval of planning application data through the revised machine-readable format of the forms

Land development

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Enhance the Town Planning Board (TPB) Website

Enabling more effective distribution of information of TPB and Planning Committee (PC) meetings as well as TPB/PC papers

Land development

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Revise the Town Planning Board (TPB) Guidelines on Submission and Publication of Representations, Comments on Representations and Further Representations under the Town Planning Ordinance to provide step-by-step guidance to the public on how to make representations on statutory plans so as to ensure efficient procedures

Enabling TPB to discharge its statutory plan-making functions in an effective and efficient manner while ensuring procedural propriety

Land development

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Use of I&T

Allow e-submission of application forms and e-billing/e-payment of demand notes for new issue/renewal of Security Company Licences

Providing greater user-friendliness and convenience to applicants/licensees

Security and Guarding services

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Strengthening support services

Develop a Portal for Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities (RCHDs) for providing service information on RCHDs to enhance transparency

Providing greater convenience for the public to access to RCHD-related service information and better dissemination of RCHDs’ information and promotion of their services through the platform

Welfare

Completed

Strengthening support services

Launch a five-year scheme to provide full subsidies for home managers, health workers and care workers of all Residential Care Homes for the Elderly and Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities in the territory to enrol in Qualifications Framework-based training courses

Enhancing the capability of the workforce in the care service industry and the service quality of residential care homes by providing their staff with Qualifications Framework-based training programmes

Welfare

Completed

Strengthening support services

Launch visiting medical practitioner services for residents of all Residential Care Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) and Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities (RCHDs) in the territory so as to take proactive measures against seasonal influenza and other episodic illnesses and improve their general health

Improving the general health support to residents of all RCHEs and RCHDs and reducing reliance on the public healthcare system

Welfare

Completed

Strengthening support services

Enhance the Social Welfare Department Elderly Information Website to facilitate the public’s access to service information of all Residential Care Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) to enhance transparency

Providing greater facilitation to the public in searching and comparing the service information of different RCHEs for making informed choices, and for RCHEs to report updated service information for public access

Welfare

Completed

Strengthening support services

Implement the Financial Assistance Scheme for private Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities (RCHDs) to carry out rectification works for meeting licensing requirements

Facilitating private RCHDs currently operating with certificates of exemption to expedite the essential rectification works for compliance with the licensing requirements

Welfare

Completed

Strengthening support services

Launch a five-year scheme for all private Residential Care Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) to join accreditation schemes with full subsidies

Encouraging private RCHEs to improve their service quality on a continuous basis and join independent accreditation schemes for an objective assessment of their services by certification bodies

Welfare

Completed

Use of I&T

Upgrade the case management system for Residential Care Homes

Facilitating more efficient processing of licensing applications and management by upgrading the system

Welfare

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Use of I&T

Provide an option of electronic submission via the Trade Single Window (SW) for applications of Import and Export Licences covered under the SW Phase 1 (Import and Export Licence for Ozone Depleting Substances)

Saving time and cost to traders as they can lodge the trade documents online around the clock and no longer need to come to the service counter in person; more convenience in reuse of data within the SW system, thus minimising data input efforts and errors; more efficient operation within the Government with better information sharing among departments concerned through the centralised online platform

Import and Export

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Streamlining procedures

Further streamline the processing procedures of vehicle first registration applications by establishing a range of “reasonable market price” for each common accessory with Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) so that the Transport Department can compare the declared price against the established range of “reasonable market price” so as to save the efforts and time to pass the relevant information of the accessories to C&ED for their assessment as to whether the declared price reflects the market value

Shortening processing time of vehicle first registration applications and reducing incentive of registered distributors to make false declaration or incomplete declaration (by omitting optional accessories) in vehicle first registration applications

Transportation

Completed

Strengthening support services

Enhance the existing reminding mechanism by issuing one more letter to remind Passenger Service Licence (PSL) holders to renew their PSLs/PSL Certificates (PSLCs) 2 weeks before the expiry of their PSLs and PSLCs in addition to the present issue of reminder letters to PSL holders 6 weeks and 4 weeks before the expiry of their PSLs and PSLCs

Facilitating more timely renewal of PSLs/PSLCs by the Non-Franchised Public Bus trade and saving administrative efforts of both the trade and the Government in the processing of applications for PSL/PSLC after their expiry

Transportation

Completed

Regulatory changes

Extend the validity period for the driver identity plates for taxi and public light bus drivers from 1 year to 10 years

Saving the operating cost of taxi and public light bus drivers for annual renewal of driver identity plates

Transportation

Completed

Regulatory changes

Relax the cap on the period for which a licence to operate a ferry service, whether newly granted or extended, from 3 years to 5 years on each occasion through legislative amendments

Facilitating ferry operators’ longer-term planning and investment with a view to improving the financial viability of ferry services and service quality

Transportation

Completed

Use of I&T

Provide a new online application system to regulate the entries of Domestic Non-franchised Buses (DNFB) to the Public Transport Interchange of Hong Kong Port, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) for picking up passengers

Ensuring smooth and orderly operation of DNFB at Hong Kong Port of HZMB

Transportation

Completed

Strengthening support services

Provide a new Coach Parking Information System for cross- boundary coaches (CBC) at Hong Kong Port of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB)

Facilitating passengers to easily identify the locations of their CBC, and the smooth and orderly operation of CBC at the pick-up bays at Hong Kong Port of HZMB

Transportation

Completed

Strengthening support services

Upgrade the Access Control System of Car Parks managed by the Transport Department with provision of real-time parking vacancy information to motorists via data.gov.hk

Reducing time required by motorists for searching off-street parking spaces in the district

Transportation

Completed

Regulatory changes

Relax the requirements for applying for commercial vehicle driving licences by shortening the private car/light goods vehicle licence-holding period (now is 3 years) before a person may apply for driving licences of commercial vehicles by amending the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (Cap. 374B) to facilitate drivers of private cars/light goods vehicles to join the occupation of commercial vehicle drivers earlier

Increasing supply of new blood of commercial vehicle drivers for different transport trade operators of commercial vehicles so as to partly address the persistent manpower shortage and the aging problem of commercial vehicle drivers

Transportation

Completed

Regulatory changes

Extend the existing requirement of completing a mandatory pre-service course for applicants for a full driving licence for public light bus to cover new applicants for taxi or public bus. These new applicants must complete the respective pre-service course before they are issued with a full driving licence to equip them with the basic knowledge and skills for the service concerned, and to improve their driving skills and attitude with a view to enhancing the safety and service quality of taxi and public bus

Enhancing new taxi and public bus drivers’ awareness on road safety and improving their quality of service

Transportation

Completed

Strengthening support services

Install new on-street parking meters to support multiple payment systems (including remote payment through a mobile application named “HKeMeter”) with provision of real-time parking vacancy information

Enhancing convenience to motorists in payment and finding vacant parking spaces and facilitating Police’s enforcement actions

Transportation

Completed

Nature

Description of Business Facilitation Measure

Expected Benefits

Affected Trade

Implementation status

Regulatory changes

Promulgate a new regulatory framework for the inspection and approval of plumbing installations in buildings constructed by modular integrated construction (MiC)

Facilitating the construction industry to adopt MiC which is an initiative in the 2017 Policy Address and 2018 Budget to enhance building productivity, quality, environmental performance and site safety

Construction & Plumbing

Completed

Streamlining procedures

Streamline the approval process of applications for water supply involving simple and small scale plumbing works such as those in separate metering and for small village houses

Shortening overall processing time for approval of applications for water supply involving simple and small scale plumbing works

Plumbing

Completed

Improving guidance on licence application

Develop the sample contract clauses and specification for procurement of leak investigation services for underground water mains in the communal areas within a development

Providing greater facilitation to registered agents (normally property management agents) in preparing the contract documents for procurement of specialist leak investigation services from the market to locate the leaks in the underground water mains for repair

Leak investigation service providers

Completed