HK being promoted as intl arbitration center

Hong Kong has the potential to become a leading international dispute resolution center and is working hard to realize it, Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung told Australian business leaders in Canberra yesterday.

Speaking at the launch of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association's Canberra Region Branch, Wong outlined the SAR government's effort in promoting Hong Kong as a center for international arbitration.

Preventive measures eyed to curb domestic violence

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung has pledged to combat domestic violence by providing dedicated preventive and supportive services to victims and families in need.

Addressing Harmony House's 23rd annual general meeting yesterday, Cheung said HK$1.58 billion has been allocated to help these victims and their families this financial year, up 12.8 percent on 2007-08 and accounting for 4.6 percent of the Social Welfare Department's total spending.

HA waives some rents, freezes parking fees

The Housing Authority will waive half-month rents in January and February for commercial units, excluding supermarkets and banks, to help alleviate financial difficulties faced by tenants, particularly the small and medium-sized shops.

The decision will benefit 2,400 commercial tenants and 3,600 industrial tenants, at a cost of more than HK$30 million.

The authority also approved a proposal to maintain charges for its 27,400 parking spaces at 112 non-divested car parks at existing levels. The freeze will start from Jan 1.

Liquefied petroleum prices to fall by up to a third

The ceiling price of liquefied-petroleum gas will fall by up to HK$1.36 a liter, ranging from HK$2.86 to HK$3.25 each, starting Monday.

The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department said the adjustment reflects the movement of LPG international prices in November.

Prices are adjusted according to a specified formula with two elements - the LPG international price of the preceding month and the LPG operating price.

China Daily

(HK Edition 11/26/2008 page1)