The Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) and Hang Seng Bank today (Thursday) jointly launched the “Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards” under the Manufacturing Category of the FHKI’s “One Factory - One Year - One Environmental Project” (1-1-1) Programme. The Awards aim to recognise and encourage sound environmental practices by manufacturing companies (including transportation and logistics companies) in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region.  

Dr Michael Chiu, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection; Kenneth Ting, chairman of the FHKI and Raymond Or, vice-chairman and chief executive of Hang Seng Bank officiated at today’s launching ceremony held at the Penthouse of Hang Seng Bank Headquarters.

Mr Ting said: “We have launched these Awards, with the support of Hang Seng Bank, to recognise manufacturing enterprises that have made outstanding efforts to improve their environmental performance. We hope that these companies can act as role models to others, and help promote the idea of balancing environmental and economic considerations when operating a business.”

Mr Or said: “As a good corporate citizen, Hang Seng strives to conduct its business in an environmentally responsible manner and look for ways to raise public awareness of environmental protection. That’s why we initiated the setting up of the ‘Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards’. We hope that manufacturing companies can take an active role in implementing environmental measures and join hands to tackle environmental problems in Hong Kong and the PRD region.”

The FHKI launched the 1-1-1 Programme in 2005 to reduce pollution that is affecting Hong Kong and the PRD region. Companies engaging in manufacturing, trading and services may participate in the Programme by implementing at least one environmental project in a year, with the aim to roll back pollution in the region.

Manufacturing companies (including transportation and logistics companies) which have successfully completed at least one environmental project in one of the eight areas (including energy conservation, water management, waste discharge reduction and treatment, recycling of resources, air emissions, noise abatement, green management and others) from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2007 are eligible to participate and compete for:

(1)    The “Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Grand Award” (one winner with cash prize of HK$100,000),

(2)   The “Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Award” (three winners with cash prize of HK$50,000 each), and

(3)   The “Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Category Award” (eight winners with HK$10,000 each).

Advisers to the Programme include the Business Environment Council, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the PRD Council. Technical advisors include Friends of the Earth, the Hong Kong Waste Management Association, the Hong Kong Q Mark Council, and certification bodies SGS and Bureau Veritas Certification Hong Kong Ltd. Details of the Awards are obtainable from the FHKI’s website: www.industryhk.org.  The application deadline is 31 December 2007.

Hang Seng Bank was named “The Green Enterprise of the Year” for its sound environmental practices by the FHKI in 2006.  The title was the top honour in the non-manufacturing category of the 1-1-1 Programme. FHKI and Hang Seng Bank will organise a series of educational activities for the participating companies, such as seminars, roadshows and experience sharing sessions.

Media Enquiries

FHKI

Ms Hannah Liu  Tel: (852) 2732 3178          E-mail: hannah.liu@fhki.org.hk

Hang Seng Bank

Ms Betty Law            Tel: (852) 2198 4234   E-mail: bettylaw@hangseng.com