Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13
Question : For 2011-12, the revised estimate is 16.8% lower than the original estimate. What are the reasons? For 2012-13, the provision is 13.4% lower than the revised estimate for 2011-12 owing to the anticipated decrease of cash flow requirement for the Mega Events Fund. Please explain the anticipated decrease in cash flow requirement. Asked by : Hon. LAM Kin-fung, Jeffrey Reply : The revised estimate for 2011-12 is $27.6 million (16.8%) lower than the original estimate for 2011-12. This is mainly due to the decreased cash flow requirement for non-recurrent items, partly offset by increased operational expenses and salary provision. The Mega Events Fund (MEF) was established in 2009, following funding approval of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council (LegCo). Since its inception, six rounds of applications have been invited and a total sum of $ 51.3 million has been granted to support 16 mega events. The three-year funding approved by LegCo will expire by the end of March 2012. The estimated expenditure for the MEF in 2012-13 is $8.7 million. This amount is reserved for paying the outstanding balance in respect of those MEF supported events completed before the end of March 2012 and is therefore less than that in 2011-12.
Question : In view of recent reports from time to time about Mainland visitors’ behaviour in Hong Kong causing public concern, has the Administration earmarked provision under this programme for the Hong Kong Tourism Board to organise cultural promotions to remind Mainland visitors of the manners to be observed in Hong Kong? If yes, what are the expenditures involved? If not, what are the reasons? Asked by : Hon. LAM Kin-fung, Jeffrey Reply : The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is committed to promoting Hong Kong as a premier travel destination worldwide, and attracting global visitors to travel to the city. While the lifestyles and habits of visitors may vary from those of Hong Kong residents, the HKTB has been providing visitors with information such as travel tips and applicable rules and regulations in Hong Kong through the HKTB website. Such messages include the prohibition of smoking in all indoor public places, prohibition of eating and drinking on most public transport, and the imposition of fixed penalty fines for littering or spitting, etc. The HKTB will monitor the situation and consider reinforcing these messages in its promotional activities when necessary. In 2012-13, HKTB has earmarked $349.8 million for its marketing budget in Hong Kong and source markets around the world, which has already included expenditure for the above work.
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