“Be the Smart Regulator” Programme
List of completed business facilitation measures in 2023-24

As at March 2024, 60 measures were completed among the 88 business facilitation measures devised in 2023-24. Please click the name of bureau/department to see the details of the completed measures.

Details of the business facilitation measures

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Enhance Departmental Homepage to promulgate e-services	Facilitating the trade in the adoption of e-services for applications	Multiple trades

Buildings Department (BD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Indicate in the Register on BD website the Registered Minor Works Contractors who are interested in delivering the services relating to above-ground drainage minor works for ease of reference by the public	Reducing time required for finding competent contractors to carry out the drainage orders related works	Building and construction
Incorporate the processing procedures for inclusion of minor works contractors (Class II and III) to the information pamphlets and BD's performance pledge	Enhancing the understanding of the public on the processing procedures for applications involving documents and information required	Building and construction

Civil Aviation Department (CAD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Obviate applicant's need to submit the Certificate of Incorporation copy by validating the company information from Companies Registry (CR)'s ICRIS Cyber search service for application of Aircraft registration	Saving applicants' time and effort in submitting the supporting documents for licence application	Aviation

Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Develop an online platform which allows the holder of a valid Marine Dumping Permit (issued by Environemntal Protection Department (EPD)) to give online notification to CEDD prior to the disposal of marine sediment at designated facility (managed by CEDD) and submit the disposal record online upon completion	Providing a more user-friendly and convenient way in submitting applications and enhancing the Government's efficiency in processing applications	Building and construction
Obviate applicant's need to submit Business Registration certificate (BRC) copy by validating the company information direct from Inland Revenue Department (IRD) G2G platform for Class 1 Dangerous Goods industry	Saving applicants' time and administrative effort in submitting application documents and enhance the efficiency of processing applications	Chemical trades

Companies Registry (CR)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Set up an e-Services Centre in the office of the CR to promote electronic services and provide assistance and guidance in using electronic services (including services on registration of user accounts, e-searches, e-submission of documents and e-incorporation)	Providing convenience to the trades in using electronic services	Multiple trades
Enhance IT system to provide for electronic searches on the Register of Money Lenders	Facilitating the public in searching for records on the Register of Money Lenders and enhancing user experience	Financial services
Hold roving exhibitions to promote the use of the e-services of the CR	Enhancing public's awareness of CR's e-services, thus increasing the adoption rate	Multiple trades
Revamp the "Electronic Services" section of the website of the CR for users' easy access to e-services	Enhancing the accessibility of e-services, thus increasing its adoption rate	Multiple trades
Produce video clips on user registration and usage of various services of the e-Portal, and upload them to various platforms for viewing	Facilitating the applicants to have a better understanding on the use of the e-services and saving administrative efforts of the Government in answering enquiries	Multiple trades
Adopt iAM Smart for signing documents for applications for six types of licences, such as Certificate of Incorporation and Certificate of Registration of Non-Hong Kong Company	Saving the trade's administrative costs and effort in application submission	Multiple trades

Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency)(CSTB)(CCIDA)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Enhance user experience by briefly describing the purpose of individual application forms of permits/licences next to each form heading	Increasing applicants' satisfaction and convenience by improving information of licence application. Enhancing overall efficiency of licence application	Film and entertainment
Provide a checklist of mandatory forms under each permit/licence to enhance applicants’ understanding of submission requirements and reduce the chance of overlooking particular forms during submission	Facilitating the trade in understanding the document requirements and reducing the need of back-and-forth clarifications and re-submissions	Film and entertainment
Establish stakeholder engagement mechanism to engage service users from the film and entertainment industry to collect their feedback to drive improvement on the service design	Increasing users' satisfaction by enhancing stakeholder engagement mechanism	Film and entertainment

Customs and Excise Department (C&ED)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Develop a Registration System for the Alternative Smoking Product (ASP) Transhipment Control Scheme	Facilitating the transhipment of alternative smoking products in terms of cargo flow as the registration system is a new service to be provided after amendment of relevant legislation.	Import and export
Implement new e-submission and e-approval processes for the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones registration regime, namely Application for a Category A / B registration; and Application for an approval in respect of Persons Proposing to become Registrant's Partners / Directors / Ultimate Owners	Increasing ease of accessibility and expecting that around 50% of the applications will be submitted via the e-channel.	Import and export
Implement chatbot on the C&ED homepage and Customs Virtual Robotic Ambassador at boundary control points and C&ED buildings for handling public enquiries on C&ED government forms, as well as provision of links by use of a backend knowledge base	Reducing administrative burden to application, 15 minutes of applicants' time in making phone calls can be saved	Import and export

Department of Health (DH)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Obviate applicant's need to submit a copy of HKIC to streamline the identity authentication process	Saving applicants' time and effort in submitting the supporting documents for licence application	Traders and end-user of radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus
Include a user guide with infographic on website of DH as a way to boost users' adoption of e-services under Animals (Control of Experiments) Ordinance (Cap.340)	Increasing the awareness of licence applicants on electronic submission of application	Trades related to animal experiments

Education Bureau (EDB)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Revamp the website design of the Non-local Courses Registry (NCR) to show availability of e-service option and the link to two e-forms at a prominent position	Increasing the awareness of licence applicants on electronic submission of application	Education

Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Promote benefits of the e-services for Registered Electrical Worker (REW) through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Scheme Training	Reducing the number of visits required for Registered Electrical Workers to the Registration and Permit Office	Electrical, Gas & mechanical trades
Obviate the need of submitting Business Registration Documents for gas vehicle (cylinder wagon) permit application with the use of Inland Revenue Department (IRD)'s G2G Enquiry Platform and CR's ICRIS	Saving applicants' time and administrative effort in submitting application documents and enhance the efficiency of processing applications	Electrical, Gas & mechanical trades
Improve usability of e-submission channel for Permit for conveyance of LPG Cylinders on Gas Vehicle Application	Facilitating the trade to use the online services by providing a user-friendly means of applications thus reducing the time and administrative effort required for submissions	Electrical, Gas & mechanical trades
Develop a platform for the trade to provide a reminder function for the expiry date of LPG vehicle fuel tanks for revalidation (eCheckDate 2.0)	Reducing the chance of missing the renewal window of the permit	Electrical, Gas & mechanical trades

Environmental Protection Department (EPD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Obviate the requirement for applicants of Marine Dumping Permit to submit a copy of Allocation of Disposal Capacity and approval of Sediment Quality Report together with the application form	Saving applicants' time and effort in submitting the supporting documents for permit application	Building and construction
Increase the attachment size limit of high usage e-forms to 50MB on the Environmental Protection Interactive Centre (EPIC) to benefit public in using e-submission	Saving applicants' time and administrative effort in reducing file size for e-submission	Multiple trades
Allow applicants to retrieve information of their previous applications from the EPIC in order to facilitate renewal or variation of applications	Reducing the administrative effort during renewal or variation of applications	Multiple trades
Promote the use of the EPIC by adding the link to EPIC in the GovHK website under "Environmental Compliance"	Allowing the trade to access the licensing information more easily	Multiple trades

Fire Services Department (FSD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Introduce Dangerous Goods licence conversion workshop and facilitation measures to facilitate licensees to meet the challenges encountered in the implementation of the amended Dangerous Goods Ordinance (DGO)	Facilitating the applicants to have a better understanding of the application process, and reduce preparation time of relevant application	Multiple Trades
Enable e-submission for Report of Completion on Ventilating System	Saving applicants' time and administrative efforts in submitting applications and enhancing the efficiency of processing applications	Building and construction
Enable e-submission for application /renewal / alteration to/ cancellation of licence for Dangerous Goods incorporated with iAM Smart function	Saving applicants' time and administrative efforts in submitting applications and enhancing the efficiency of processing applications	Multiple trades
Introduce Annual Checklist for Fire Alarm Systems	Facilitating the trade in understanding the document requirements and reducing the need of back-and-forth clarifications and re-submissions	Building and construction

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Provide a simplified guide to Application for Restaurant Licences for applicants' quick reference	Providing a more user-friendly and efficient way in submitting applications	Food trade
Implement "Professional Certification System" for Food Business Related Licence Applications	Saving the time of the trades on collecting licences and enhancing the efficiency of issuing licences	Food trade
Relax food preparation restriction in Temporary Food Factory Licence and simplification of the application form	Increasing the flexibility of business, saving applicants’ time and administrative effort and enhancing the efficiency of processing applications	Food trade
Establish an exchange mechanism through e-means in seeking comment from Buildings Department (BD) and Independent Checking Unit under the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Housing on licence application	Enhancing the efficiency and convenience of the application process	Multiple trades
Relax submission of communal toilet certificates in connection with licence application	Saving administrative efforts of the trades in submitting applications and enhancing efficiency in processing applications	Food trade
Relax the Restrictions on Types of Food Items Sold by Light Refreshment Restaurants	Enhancing flexibility of business	Food trade

Highways Department (HyD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Provide a new function for users (e.g. utility undertakings, private developers, government departments, contractors) to register their accounts in the Excavation Permit Management System (XPMS)	Reducing time for registration of XMPS user account	Utility undertakings, private developers, government departments and their contractors

Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Enhance the publicity to promote the benefits of the e-services so as to boost the adoption rate of e-submission and e-payment	Facilitating the trade in adopting to e-services for applications	Multiple trades

Inland Revenue Department (IRD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Enhance the e-services on "Application for Business Registration Documents" and "Application for Business or Branch Registration" to accept Faster Payment System for online payment	Providing greater convenience and flexibility to the trade	Multiple trades

Labour Department (LD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Provide e-notification for Pressure Equipment Registration	Enhancing efficiency and transparency of the licensing process	Multiple trades
Promote benefits of using e-Service for EAs (e-EAS) through publicity materials (e.g. videos featuring existing users, etc.)	Facilitating the applicants to have a better understanding on the use of the e-services and reducing the number of enquiries received	Employment Agencies

Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Compile the licensed premises in the form of electronic map and upload to the departmental webpage	Increasing users' satisfaction and convenience by facilitating users to locate information of licensed premises	Billiard Establishment, Public Bowling Alley and Public Skating Rink

Marine Department (MD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Extend the coverage of Public Form Submission Services (PFSS) to support 16 application forms	Enhancing business-friendliness of the application process and providing greater convenience for the trade	Maritime / shipping
Develop a dedicated e-services webpage or thematic website to allow public access relevant information efficiently	Increasing applicants' satisfaction and convenience in locating e-services information from a dedicated webpage or thematic website	Maritime / shipping

Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Establish stakeholder engagement mechanism to engage service users and collect their feedback for continuous improvement on service delivery	Addressing the need of service users by identifying improvement areas in service delivery from users' feedback, thus enhancing users' satisfaction	Multiple trades
Develop online tracking tool for checking progress of the application for Services-based Operator Licence	Enhancing transparency of processing applications	Telecommunications

Planning Department (PlanD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Revamp Statutory Planning Portal	Facilitating applicants to obtain information in preparing planning applications and enhancing the accuracy of the information in the application submission	Land use and Development
Mandate e-submission for planning applications	Reducing applicant's time and administrative cost in making planning applications	Land use and Development

Security Bureau (SB)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Add a banner on the frontpage of SB website to allow public direct access to the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority (SGSIA) online services page	Enabling the public to easily access all relevant information of the SGSIA's online services	Security and Guarding services
Provide guidance notes on e-submission of Security Company Licence applications	Enabling applicants to better understand e-submission service of Security Company Licence	Security and Guarding services
Waive the need of submitting copies of Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration for changing company's particulars	Saving applicants' time and effort in submitting the supporting documents for licence applications	Security and Guarding services

Social Welfare Department (SWD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Provide user-friendly guide/manual to applicants to facilitate using the e-services	Enabling applicants to better understand on using the e-services	Residential Care Services
Provide training to familiarise applicants with the features of the e-services and its applications	Promoting the use of the e-services by assisting applicants to familiarise with the features of the e-services and its applications	Residential Care Services
Provide a website to applicants for their easy access to the e-services	Increasing applicants' satisfaction and convenience in locating e-services information from a one-stop website	Residential Care Services

Trade and Industry Department (TID)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Revamp the layout of the webpages for Reserved Commodities (rice), Powdered Formula and Textiles Trader Registration to promote e-channel as the first option for application submission	Enhancing the accessibility of e-services and promoting its use	Import and export

Transport Department (TD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Allow applicants to opt for an additional email notification on the preliminary vetting results of trade licence application at the 1st Stage of trade licence application	Shortening application turnaround time and allowing successful applicants to prepare documents for next stage of application earlier	Multiple trades

Water Supplies Department (WSD)

Business Facilitation Measure(s)	Expected Benefit(s)	Affected Trade
Re-arrange the WSD website content to put the option of online application for Plumber's Licence at a higher priority than the option of in-person application	Enhancing the accessibility of e-services and promoting its use	Plumbing