The Chamber welcomes the Competition Commission's Proposal to Vary (Renew) the Competition (Block Exemption Order for Vessel Sharing Agreements) Order 2017 (As Varied).

We reiterate our support for the captioned Block Exemption Order be renewed, for the reasons presented in the Commission's Notice Issued Under Section 20(2) of the Competition Ordinance (Cap. 619) as well as in our response to the Commission's initial consultation on this matter dated 6 November 2025. The Chamber's views on specific matters regarding the provisions of the renewal are as set out in this response, for reference.

The Chamber fully supports the Government’s efforts to streamline statutory processes in the Northern Metropolis (NM) through the introduction of dedicated legislation. We regard the NM as a key pillar in shaping Hong Kong’s future and advancing its long-term, high-quality socio-economic development under the National 15th Five-Year Plan. As a flagship initiative, it will play an important strategic role in deepening Hong Kong’s integration with the Greater Bay Area, while reinforcing its position as an international financial and innovation hub.
We welcome the Government’s proposed measures, including those aimed at enhancing the efficiency of planning and land administration, accelerating construction timelines, and facilitating smoother business operations. At the same time, we highlight several additional priority areas for the Government’s consideration, including strengthening international awareness and investment promotion, expediting project delivery and enhancing governance, advancing innovation-ready infrastructure, leveraging AI to develop a smart metropolis, incorporating sustainability benchmarks, and cultivating and empowering next-generation talent and stakeholders. Our submission underscores the importance of a comprehensive framework that ensures long-term commercial sustainability, while appropriately balancing the interests of investors, operators, and end-users of the NM mega-project.

Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) proposed an introduction of a two-tier surcharge mechanism aimed at urging non-compliant employers to settle outstanding contributions and surcharges promptly, thereby enhancing protection of employees’ MPF rights. The Chamber fully supports the MPFA’s commitment to promoting timely MPF contributions. However, we have great reservation over the envisaged arrangement. In lieu of a rigid two-tier fixed penalty structure, we recommend introducing an interest-based surcharge mechanism, which would be more proportionate and equitable.