Submissions and Reports

HKGCC supports the Government’s policy objective of improving health and safety at work. However, we believe that it can be achieved more effectively by means other than significantly raising penalties, and doubling the period for summons from six months to one year as proposed.

The Chamber agrees with the Government that there is the need to address the abuse of SIM Cards for criminal purposes, but suggests that consideration should also be given to attendant issues such as data privacy implications and efficacy of a mandatory registration system. In light of the social impact that such regulatory changes may bring, the Chamber recommends that efforts be made to better define the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders, namely, users, operators, and regulators under the proposed programme.

The Chamber agrees with the Law Reform Commission’s proposals to relax the current prohibition of outcome-related fee structures for arbitration to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an arbitration centre, but suggests that a phased approach be adopted to the implementation of flexible fee structures. Due consideration should also be given to the protection of the interests of smaller businesses opting for such a means of dispute resolution.

The Chamber welcomes and supports efforts by the Government to progressively tighten the Air Quality Objectives. We believe air pollution remains very much a public health challenge that needs to be addressed through more ambitious targets and closer collaboration among businesses, civil society and policy makers.

The Chamber welcomes and supports efforts by the Council for Sustainable Development to engage the public on developing a long-term decarbonisation strategy for Hong Kong. We believe the exercise of reducing our carbon footprint will require extensive and concerted efforts across all segments of the community.

The Chamber appreciates the Government’s effort to update fire safety standards in pre-1987 industrial buildings as a means to enhance public safety. At the same time, the Chamber has pointed to the need for flexibility in the application of the standards to take into account variances in the design and structure of industrial buildings. The Chamber has also called for a review of the Code of Practice for Minimum Fire Service Installations and Equipment to better cater for technological advancements and changes in commercial use in the industrial buildings.

The Chamber supports a multi-pronged and holistic approach to enhancing land supply for all purposes including housing. To this end, the Government should establish a single policy unit to oversee all land and housing related policies, map out a long-term, stable and reliable land supply plan with a clear deliverable timetable, and expedite and simplify the development process, as well as the town planning process.

In the interest of clarity and certainty, renewal of private recreational leases should be the norm unless there are compelling reasons such as non-compliance with lease conditions or overriding public interest to justify non-renewal. There are also reservations about the proposal to charge private sports clubs a higher land premium as this could jeopardize the ability of these clubs to carry on as viable entities and contribute to sports development in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s iconic Central Harbourfront is of key importance to the city, therefore the Chamber believes that the highest price should not be the main criterion when determining who wins the tender for the development of Site 3. A “two-envelope” approach -- whereby design proposals are assessed before financial submissions are considered -- would help ensure that the development provides a pleasant environment for citizens while helping maximize the city’s appeal to tourists.

The Chamber proposes the setting up of a one-stop shop and harmonization of standards and requirements with respect to town planning applications, as well as enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Town Planning Board.