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EPD takes action on concrete plants

The Environmental Protection Department said it does not tolerate concrete batching plants operating without a licence and will make every effort to stop any illegal operations.   The department made the statement in response to media reports yesterday of a concrete batching plant at 20 Tung Yuen Street in Yau Tong continuing to operate without holding a valid Specified Process Licence (SPL).   The department has been closely monitoring the operation of two plants, both owned by China Concrete. The other plant is at 22 Tung Yuen Street in Yau Tong.   Regarding the plant at 20 Tung Yuen Street, the Air Pollution Control Appeal Board dismissed an appeal lodged by China Concrete against the department’s refusal of its application for renewal of an SPL for the plant on November 22.   Under the Air Pollution Control (Specified Processes) Regulations, the plant’s SPL ceased to be valid with immediate effect and the department issued a letter requesting that all works be halte

Human resources body meets

The Human Resources Planning Commission convened a meeting today, with the Immigration Department briefing the commission members on the implementation of various talent admission schemes in Hong Kong.   The department pointed out that apart from nurturing local talents, the Government has been attracting talents needed by Hong Kong through various talent admission schemes while upholding priority employment of the local workforce.   Professionals may apply to work in Hong Kong under the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents & Professionals, while the Technology Talent Admission Scheme provides a fast-track arrangement for eligible companies to admit non-local technology talents to undertake research and development work in Hong Kong.   Talents from all around the world can also settle in Hong Kong through applying for the annual quota under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS).   Members also noted the enhancement measures on attracting talent as announced in the 2021 Policy Address, including doubling the annual quota under the QMAS from 2,000 to 4,000 and updating the Talent List by adding the new professions of financial professionals in compliance in asset management and professionals in environmental, social and governance to the list, as well as expanding the scope of some existing professions.   They were pleased to note that the QMAS was still widely welcomed by talents from around the world under the pandemic and the number of allotted quota in 2020 nearly doubled that of 2019.   It was agreed that Hong Kong would need to continue to attract talents to enrich its talent pool to promote high-end economic development and grasp the opportunities brought by the national development. Members also offered comments on different talent admission schemes.   In addition, Invest Hong Kong gave a briefing on its talent attraction work, including working with relevant policy bureaus, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Offices and other stakeholders to showcase to global talents the opportunities in Hong Kong by organising different kinds of global promotion events and through social media and other digital promotion platforms.   Members welcomed the Government's promotional efforts on talent attraction and offered comments and suggestions on how to better take forward the relevant work to meet the talent demand in Hong Kong.   Chaired by Chief Secretary John Lee, this afternoon's meeting was the sixth during the commission’s second term.
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