XN000022-1997-03-11 — Page 15

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Granting of banking licence to Generale Bank

A spokesman of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said today (Tuesday) that Generale Bank (GB) had been granted a banking licence by the Monetary Authority under the Banking Ordinance on March 5, 1997.

GB is the largest banking institution in Belgium and ranked 78th in the world in terms of tier 1 capital. The GB group has an estimated 30% share of banking business and 15% of the financial market in Belgium. It provides full-services banking through its 1,100 domestic branches and international network of subsidiaries, branches and representative offices around the world including New York. Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

A full branch will enable GB to maintain its global treasury activities on a 24- hour basis by operating in financial markets of Hong Kong, Brussels and New York.

After the grant of a banking licence to GB, the number of banks in Hong Kong has increased to 183 of which 31 are incorporated in Hong Kong.

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Exhibition to promote hygiene and health

A highly informative and entertaining exhibition with a wide range of information on food safety and health-related issues will be held at the Hong Kong City Hall and Tsuen Wan Town Hall in the coming weeks.

Entitled 'Hygiene and Health Expo 1997', the exhibition is jointly organised by the Department of Health, Urban Council and Regional Council with an aim to promote public awareness on different aspects of health and hygiene.

It will be held at the Exhibition Hall of Hong Kong City Hall from March 13 to 17 and will move to the Exhibition Gallery of Tsuen Wan Town Hall from March 26 to 30. The opening hours are from 10 am to 6 pm except March 13 (from 3 pm to 6 pm).