ENG-2006 — Page 18

ii | Calendar of Events in 2006

27

March

10

23

24

April

1

4

LO

6

7

9

The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur KC Li, announces a series of long-term support measures for improving the teaching establishment and reducing the workload of teachers to give them some relief and to allow them to better concentrate on teaching.

Fireboat Alexander Grantham is hoisted into its new home at the Central Concourse of Quarry Bay Park. The fireboat, which is to be converted into a gallery, is the Hong Kong Museum of History's largest 'Made in Hong Kong' exhibit.

The Revenue (Profits Tax Exemption for Offshore Funds) Ordinance 2006 is enacted.

The Revenue (Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks) Ordinance 2005 comes into effect. Under the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks Scheme, a vehicle owner can suggest his or her preferred registration mark, submit it to the Transport Department and use it upon approval and successful bidding.

The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, opens a forum to promote regional cooperation in financial services. The forum, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, attracts more than 600 officials from the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region and Central Government agencies, entrepreneurs and key players in the financial services sector.

The Law Reform Commission releases its report entitled 'Privacy: The Regulation of Covert Surveillance'.

The Government sets up the Mainland Affairs Liaison Office under the Constitutional Affairs Bureau.

The Government proposes an incentive scheme for the operators of Hong Kong's 265 pig farms, who choose to surrender their licences voluntarily and cease pig farming permanently.

The Government announces the appointments to the Consultative Committee and its three Advisory Groups on the Core Arts and Cultural Facilities of the West Kowloon Cultural District. The Chief Secretary for Administration will chair the Consultative Committee.

The first Hong Kong Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Awards are launched to recognise and promote the outstanding achievements of local ICT professionals and organisations.

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, arrives in Beijing on his first official visit.