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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (June 15) started inviting applications for funding support under the new phase of the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme, which will be extended until March 31, 2020, with a view to encouraging Hong Kong-owned factories in Guangdong Province and Hong Kong to adopt cleaner production technologies, thereby reducing their impacts to the environment.
Hong Kong enterprises operating factories in Hong Kong or Guangdong Province can apply for funding support to carry out two types of projects under the Programme:
* on-site improvement assessments to identify cleaner production solutions for their factories by environmental technology service providers. The Government will share half of the assessment cost with a funding ceiling of $28,000 per factory; and
* demonstration projects to show the effectiveness of cleaner production technologies through installation of equipment or modification of production processes. The Government will share half of the cost with a funding ceiling of $330,000 per project.
Under the new phase of the Programme, a new initiative will be introduced for trade and industry associations in Hong Kong to apply for funding support to carry out trade-specific promotion and publicity activities. This will help to better promote the adoption of proven cleaner production technologies by factories.
Hong Kong enterprises as well as trade and industry associations interested in applying for the funding support may obtain detailed information and download the application form from the Programme website at www.cleanerproduction.hk. Enquiries can also be made on the following hotlines operated by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC): (852) 2788 5588 (Hong Kong), (86-755) 8615 6942 (Shenzhen) or (86-769) 2299 2096 (Dongguan).
In April 2008, the EPD launched the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme in collaboration with the Economic and Information Commission of Guangdong Province to encourage Hong Kong-owned factories in Guangdong and Hong Kong to adopt cleaner production technologies and practices, thereby contributing to improve the regional environment. Since its introduction, total government funding of $143 million has been used for the implementation of the Programme. In light of the environmental benefits of the Programme, the EPD has extended it for another five years with additional funding of $150 million. The HKPC will continue to be the implementation agent for the Programme.
Ends/Monday, June 15, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:03
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