Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/380 |
S-IV§6 |
Hong Kong, China |
2018 |
Sectors |
Grants and direct payments |
Agriculture |
Relevant information
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In 2016, the Government announced a New Agriculture Policy, with a view to promoting the modernization and sustainable development of local agriculture. The main initiatives under the Policy include: (1) establishing a HK$500 million Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund (SADF), with a view to providing financial support for the modernization and sustainable development of local agriculture; (2) establishing an agricultural park, with a view to helping nurture agro-technology and agro-business management; (3) commissioning a consultancy study on agricultural priority areas, with a view to identifying large areas of agricultural land and exploring ways to provide incentives for their revitalization; and (4) facilitating the development and modernization of local agriculture and the wider adoption of hydroponics and agro-technology. The SADF, launched in December 2016, provides financial support to projects that are deemed productivity-enhancing to benefit the whole agriculture sector in HKC; a Farm Improvement Scheme (FIS) provides direct grants to farmers up to a maximum of HK$30,000, with a view to encouraging the mechanization of farms.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/380 |
S-IV§12 |
Hong Kong, China |
2018 |
Sectors |
Non-monetary support, Loans and financing |
Fisheries |
Relevant information
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The AFCD provides basic infrastructure, technical advice, liaison services, marketing, and training to assist fishermen and to encourage conversion to sustainable fisheries. Fishermen and fish farmers may also benefit from low-interest loans under funds administered by the AFCD: the Fisheries Development Loan Fund (FDLF) , the Fish Marketing Organization Loan Fund , and the Kadoorie Agriculture Aid Loan Fund (Table 4.1).
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/380 |
S-IV§13 |
Hong Kong, China |
2018 |
Sectors |
Grants and direct payments, Loans and financing |
Fisheries |
Relevant information
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To assist owners of fishing vessels affected by a ban on trawling in HKC waters introduced in December 2012, the FDLF had provided one-off loans for upgrading vessels to operate outside HKC waters or for switching to more sustainable fishing operations; the deadline for applying for these loans was 31 December 2015. Currently, loans are provided under the FDLF to encourage fishermen and fish farmers to switch to sustainable fisheries operations or environmentally friendly operations. In February 2015, the total approved commitment of the FDLF was raised to HK$1,100 million (compared with HK$290 million previously). Furthermore, a HK$500 million Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund (SFDF) was established in 2014 to provide financial assistance (grants) for carrying out research and development programmes that would help improve the operating environment and competitiveness of the fishing industry. Between April 2014 and March 2018, eight applications, comprising six projects on aquaculture and two on fisheries-related eco-tourism, were approved, involving a total commitment of about HK$41 million.
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Keywords
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Environment
Fish
Sustainable
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/380 |
S-IV§14 |
Hong Kong, China |
2018 |
Sectors |
Other environmental requirements |
Energy |
Relevant information
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(…) HKC is a net energy importer; according to the authorities, it has only a small amount of indigenous energy resources (e.g. solar energy). (…) The Environment Bureau's policy monitors prices and the strategic reserves of energy, and sets the fuel mix for electricity generation regarding, inter alia, environmental targets (e.g. those related to carbon emissions and energy intensity). [15]
[15] The Government has set the emission targets for 2020 specifically to reduce sulphur dioxide by 35 75%, nitrogen oxides by 20-30%, and respirable suspended particulates by 15-40% (from 2010). It has also set a target to reduce HKC's carbon intensity by 50-60% by 2020 (from 2005). Considering, inter alia, these targets, HKC has set the fuel mix for electricity generation in 2020, under which: (a) the percentage of local gas generation will increase to around 50% of the total fuel mix; (b) nuclear imports will account for around 25%; (c) the development of renewable energy and energy saving will be further promoted in HKC; and (d) the remaining demand for electricity will be met by coal-fired generation.
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Keywords
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Climate
Emissions
Energy
Environment
Indigenous
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/380 |
S-Table-A3.3 |
Hong Kong, China |
2018 |
Measures |
Technical regulation or specifications |
Chemicals, Energy, Manufacturing |
Relevant information
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Table A3.3 Regime of standards and technical requirements, 2017
Ordinance/Regulation Summary of the legislation Changes since 1 January 2014
Environmental protection
Air Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 311) To provide for the control of air pollution from stationary sources and motor vehicles.
The import, transhipment, supply, and use of all forms of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials is now banned. The Ordinance was amended in April 2014 to further protect public health by tightening the asbestos control, starting from 4 April 2014
Air Pollution Control (Fuel Restriction) Regulations (Cap. 311I) To prohibit the use of high sulphur content solid and liquid fuel (sulphur content shall not exceed 1% by weight for conventional solid fuels and 0.005% by weight for liquid fuels) for commercial and industrial appliances, and require the use of gaseous fuel in certain areas of the territory. Nil
Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emissions) Regulations (Cap. 311J) To set out the emissions standards for vehicles. Newly registered vehicles shall comply with the latest EU or the equivalent U.S. or Japanese emissions standards. The Regulations were amended in 2017 to progressively tighten the emissions standards for specified classes of newly registered vehicles, in phases starting from 1 July 2017
Air Pollution Control (Motor Vehicle Fuel) Regulation (Cap. 311L) To set out the specifications of motor vehicle fuel to be used in motor vehicles, and prohibit the sale of leaded petrol. The statutory specifications of motor vehicle diesel and unleaded petrol are pitched at Euro V standards. Nil
Air Pollution Control (Emission Reduction Devices for Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 311U) To require scheduled vehicles to be installed with approved emissions reduction devices.
Under the Regulation, the Director of Environmental Protection shall maintain a register of all approved emissions reduction devices. The Director of Environmental Protection may include in the register an emissions reduction device only if he is satisfied that the device can reduce the emissions of air pollutants from a motor vehicle in a manner and to an extent satisfactory to him, and it is suitable for installation on a motor vehicle. Nil
Air Pollution Control (Dry-Cleaning Machines) (Vapour Recovery) Regulation (Cap. 311T) To control the emission of perchloroethylene (PCE) from the dry-cleaning industry through the imposition of PCE emission standards on dry-cleaning machines in use.
Specifically, the concentration of PCE inside the drum of dry-cleaning machines must not exceed 300 ppmv at the end of the drying cycle. Nil
Air Pollution Control (Petrol Filling Stations) (Vapour Recovery) Regulation (Cap. 311S) Petrol storage tanks and petrol dispensers of petrol filling stations and petrol delivery vehicles are required to be installed with vapour recovery systems. Nil
Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation (Cap. 311W) Import and local manufacture of regulated VOC-containing products for local sale and use is allowed only if their VOC contents meet the prescribed standards. Nil
Air Pollution Control (Air Pollutant Emission) (Controlled Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 311X) To phase out pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles, including goods vehicles, light buses and non-franchised buses, by 2020, and to limit the service life of diesel commercial vehicles first registered on or after 1 February 2014 to 15 years. Nil
Air Pollution Control (Marine Light Diesel) Regulation (Cap. 311Y) To provide for the specifications for marine light diesel supplied in HKC. Specifically, the sulphur content shall not exceed 0.05% by weight. Nil
Air Pollution Control (Non-road Mobile Machinery) (Emission) Regulation (Cap. 311Z) To control the emissions of non-road mobile machinery (NRMMs) through regulating the sale, lease and use of NRMMs. The Regulation came into effect on 1 June 2015
Air Pollution Control (Ocean-Going Vessels) (Fuel at berth) Regulation (Cap. 311AA) To mandate ocean-going vessels (OGVs) to switch to low sulphur fuel (with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5%) while at berth in HKC. The Regulation came into effect on 1 July 2015
Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap. 403) To comply with the requirements of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. Nil
Ozone Layer Protection (Controlled Refrigerants) Regulation (Cap. 403B) To prohibit any intended release of controlled refrigerants from motor vehicle air-conditioners or refrigeration equipment containing more than 50 kg of refrigerant to charge into the atmosphere, and to conserve the controlled refrigerants through the use of approved recycling and recovery equipment. Nil
Ozone Layer Protection (Products Containing Scheduled Substances) (Import Banning) Regulation (Cap. 403C) To prohibit the import from all countries of products containing ozone-depleting substances listed in the Schedule to the Ordinance. Nil
Noise Control (Air Compressors) Regulations (Cap. 400C) To stipulate noise emission standards for certain portable air compressors. Nil
Noise Control (Hand Held Percussive Breakers) Regulations (Cap. 400D) To stipulate prescribed noise emission standards for certain hand-held percussive breakers. Nil
Noise Control (Motor Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 400I) To stipulate noise emission standards, as prescribed in the Schedule, for motor vehicles, including motorcycles, to comply with their first registration. Nil
(...)
Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Cap. 598) To require local manufacturers or importers of the prescribed products to submit specified information and documentation for the assignment of reference numbers, and to attach energy labels before supplying these products in HKC. The scope was expanded to cover televisions, storage type electric water heaters and induction cookers; and the coverage of room air conditioners, and of washing machines of a washing capacity from not exceeding 7 kg to not exceeding 10 kg, was extended to include the heating function.
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Keywords
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Conservation
Emissions
Environment
MEAs
Organic
Ozone
Pollution
Recycle
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-Summary§13 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition |
Manufacturing |
Relevant information
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(…) Nepal also prohibits the export of certain goods for various policy objectives, and about 100 products are subject to export duties on grounds of environmental protection, (…)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-Summary§21 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Measures |
Loans and financing, Non-monetary support |
Agriculture |
Relevant information
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(…) Current policy for agriculture is set out in the ADS 2015-2035 and several product-specific policy documents. The ADS includes a number of programmes aimed at improving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience to climate change and disasters. The largest programme is for irrigation (NR 95 billion over 10 years), and the total 10-year cost of all programmes is about NR 502 billion, about 11% of which is to come from donors. The ADS also sets out targets, with an emphasis on developing a trade surplus for agricultural goods, improving sustainability and competitiveness, and reducing poverty. The most recent notification to the WTO on domestic support is for calendar years 2010 and 2011; it showed that all support was in the Green Box, and amounted to less than 1% of the value of production. Data on government spending during the review period shows that government programmes are focused on input and infrastructure support, research, and interest rate subsidies. Exports of some agricultural products qualify for export support under the Cash Incentive for Exports (CISE) 2070, with a budget allocation of US$5.4 million for FY 2018-19.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-Summary§22 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Mining |
Relevant information
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The mining and quarrying sector (0.6% of GDP in 2017-18) is gradually being developed. Under the National Mineral Resources Policy 2017, Nepal's main policy objectives include making the sector more competitive, sustainable and environmentally friendly by using new and innovative technology; and attracting larger private sector investment by providing incentives and facilities.
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Keywords
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Environment
Natural resources
Sustainable
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-Summary§23 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
Relevant information
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The period 2016-26 has been declared National Energy Crisis Reduction and Electricity Development Decade (Energy Emergency Decade). Nepal recognizes that it must accelerate the development of its abundant hydropower potential as an important step to reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth. Hydropower development would provide clean energy to enhance economic and social development in rural and urban areas, and enable Nepal to generate revenue from the export of excess energy to neighbouring countries. Nepal aims to achieve zero power outages and ensure energy security by 2019.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-II§38 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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The Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA), 1992 and the Industrial Enterprises Act, 2016, provide the legal basis for regulating, administering, and facilitating FDI. In addition, several other laws also affect FDI, including: (…) and the Environment Protection Act, 1997 (and the Environment Protection Rules, 1997). To promote investment in national priority projects, FDI is encouraged in the recent enactments and amendments of laws in different sectors, and a draft law on foreign investment has been prepared. (...)
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