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With a view to enhancing public understanding of social enterprises (SEs), the Home Affairs Department (HAD) will organise the North District Market Fair for Social Enterprises on Sunday and Monday (December 23 and 24) at Fanling Recreation Ground. Members of the public are encouraged to use the products and services of SEs to support the socially disadvantaged.
The market fair will be open from 9.30am to 6pm. Ten SEs, sponsored by the HAD's Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme (ESR Programme), will join the fair. Booths will be set up to showcase and promote their products and services.
Participating SEs will offer a variety of products and services, including healthy food and drinks, accessories and handicrafts, physiotherapy treatment, and home care services. Some SEs will give out discount coupons on-site, or provide checking of blood pressure free of charge. Please refer to the Annex for details.
Admission is free. The public may also pay a visit to the North District 2012 Flower, Bird, Insect & Fish Show held concurrently in the venue.
Since 2006, the ESR Programme has been providing seed money for non-profit-making organisations to set up SEs, which in turn provides job opportunities for the socially disadvantaged to enhance their skills and capabilities for effective integration into society.
Total funding of about $150 million has been approved in 12 phases to help in the start-up of around 140 SEs since the implementation of the ESR Programme. More than 2 300 jobs have been created for the socially disadvantaged as a result.
Ends/Thursday, December 20, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:00
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