MULTIPLE-ENTRY SCHEME TO RESUME

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it warmly welcomes and is grateful for the central government's support in resuming the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for Shenzhen permanent residents and implementing a new arrangement to expand the multiple-entry IVS to Shenzhen residence permit holders on Sunday.

The measure will allow Shenzhen residents to visit Hong Kong more conveniently and freely, further adding new momentum to Hong Kong's tourism, catering, retail, and other industries, it added.

Currently, Shenzhen only allows its permanent residents to visit Hong Kong under a "one trip per week" IVS.

The resumption of the multiple-entry IVS removes restrictions on the number of visits for IVS holders.

According to published statistics, the resumption and expansion of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents will increase the number of Shenzhen residents eligible for the multiple-entry IVS to over 10 million, the Hong Kong SAR Government said.

Chief Executive John Lee expressed gratitude to the central government for its continuous care and support for Hong Kong, valuing and considering the city's proposals, and continuing to roll out a series of new measures benefitting Hong Kong.

In his Policy Address, Mr Lee proposed requesting the central government to further enhance arrangements for Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong, including the resumption of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents.

He also thanked the relevant ministries for their active research and accelerated processing, enabling the measures to be swiftly implemented within a short period.

To ensure the smooth implementation of the new arrangements on Sunday, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki chaired an interdepartmental meeting yesterday.

Mr Chan co-ordinated and instructed various departments to make preparations on all fronts and co-ordinate with each other to ensure the smooth operation of border control points, tourist facilities and public transport networks, with a view to providing visitors with a pleasant travel experience.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung said the central government has been providing support for Hong Kong's economy and tourism development.

“IVS visitors are significant driving forces for the development of tourism-related industries in Hong Kong.”

He also noted that the new arrangements to be implemented on Sunday will substantially increase the number of visitors to Hong Kong, further stimulate the city's tourism, retail, and catering industries, and create new impetus for its economy.

The Tourism Board will strengthen publicity about Hong Kong in Shenzhen and launch online platform promotions with a view to attracting more Shenzhen visitors to Hong Kong, Mr Yeung added.

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