Skip to main content

Drivers given online option for permits

Members of the public can now apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) through an online service launched today by the Transport Department.   Users of “iAM Smart+” or eligible applicants holding a valid personal digital certificate may apply online via the GovHK website and receive their IDP by post, without the need to visit a licensing office in person.   If the submitted documents and photograph are in order, the department will normally send successful applicants their IDP by registered post within 10 working days of the online application being made.   The department reminded those who plan to drive outside of Hong Kong to allow sufficient time for the IDP applications to be processed.   Citizens may continue to submit IDP applications by visiting licensing offices in person. Appointments can be booked online or by calling 3763 8080 to save queuing time.   Drivers may also send in their IDP applications by post or via the drop-in boxes placed at licensi

Real GDP grows 7.9% in Q1

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)   The Hong Kong economy recovered visibly in the first quarter of 2021, with real gross domestic product (GDP) resuming appreciable year-on-year growth of 7.9%, ending six consecutive quarters of contraction.   Thanks to the global economic recovery led by the Mainland and the US alongside a sharp rebound in global demand, total exports of goods surged by 30.2% year-on-year in real terms.   However, the economic recovery was uneven and overall economic activity remained below the pre-recession level, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to weigh on certain economic segments, particularly those involving consumer-facing activities.   The labour market was under notable pressure in the first quarter, though it stabilised in the latter part of the quarter as the epidemic receded.    The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate went from a 17-year high of 7.2% in the three-month period ending February to 6.8% in the first quarter of 2021.   Consumption and investment demand revived somewhat but stayed relatively subdued.   Private consumption expenditure grew only modestly by 1.6% year-on-year in real terms even against an exceptionally low base of comparison.   Delivering the First Quarter Economic Report 2021 this afternoon, Government Economist Andrew Au said he expected domestic demand to further improve.   “Domestically, if the local epidemic remains well contained, business and consumer confidence, which has improved recently, should see some further improvement down the road.   “The Government’s relief measures, including the consumption voucher scheme, will help reinforce this development.”   Mr Au also appealed to the public to get vaccinated to help the economy recover.   “Many consumer-facing activities are labour intensive and are still affected by the threat of the epidemic. So it is essential for all of us to work together to keep the epidemic under control and actively participate in the vaccination programme.   “This will not only protect ourselves but also help create the necessary conditions for a full-fledged economic recovery.”   Considering that the economic recovery is uneven and the uncertainty associated with the pandemic is still high, the real GDP growth forecast of 3.5% to 5.5% for 2021 as announced in the Budget is maintained.   The actual outturn can hopefully be near the upper end of the range forecast if the pandemic situation improves in the period ahead, Mr Au added.
http://dlvr.it/RzfRpx

Popular posts from this blog

Legal officer changes proposed

The Government has proposed to amend the law to allow legal officers of the Department of Justice to be appointed as a senior counsel.   At a media session after attending a Legislative Council meeting today, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng explained the rationale behind the Government's proposal.   She said: “Why is it that my colleagues in the Department of Justice - who by their qualifications are solicitors but are actually arguing very well and very efficiently with great eloquence and efficacy in the Court of Final Appeal - are not being recognised when they are actually even better than their counterparts? That has always been something that sometimes troubles me.   “And for that reason, I have always been thinking about how we are going to overcome that problem.   “Now, what really triggers my determination to take this further forward is when one of our Deputy Directors of Public Prosecutions, Vinci Lam, took silk on May 29.   “That really showed that the form
Read more

124 COVID-19 cases reported

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 124 additional COVID-19 cases. More cases were detected in Kwai Chung Estate. There are also more than 70 preliminary positive cases.   Among the newly reported cases, 33 are related to Kwai Chung Estate, bringing the total number of positive and preliminary positive cases in the estate to 276.   One more positive case was found after an earlier confirmed case occurred at Glory Court, Tsuen Wan Garden, both of them live in units 5 but on two different floors. The centre has co-ordinated with related government departments and conducted an inspection today.    It was preliminarily considered that vertical transmission of virus via pipes is involved.   The centre will issue quarantine orders to residents of unit 5 on all floors of the building who resided there during the incubation period of the relevant cases and transfer them to a quarantine facility.   As it is possible that virus might be ejected from the open
Read more

CE to meet Congo president

Chief Executive John Lee will meet Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo at Government House tomorrow, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today.   The Congo president is in the People’s Republic of China for a state visit and will arrive in Hong Kong for a two-day trip. http://dlvr.it/Spnmcs
Read more