SFST visits Inland Revenue Department, Treasury and Audit Commission (with photos)
9.12.2021

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, today (December 9) visited the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), the Treasury and the Audit Commission to learn about the work of colleagues in different roles. Mr Hui gave encouragement to staff and called on colleagues who are registered electors (including electors of the accountancy functional constituency) to cast their vote in relevant constituencies in the upcoming Legislative Council General Election. Accompanied by the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, and Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) Mr Howard Lee, Mr Hui first visited the IRD and met with the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mr Tam Tai-pang, directorate staff and representatives from the Inland Revenue Department Assessing Officers' Association. Mr Hui was briefed on the latest progress of the IRD's Departmental Information Technology (IT) Plan and shared his views on the project. The plan aims to enhance services to the public through the use of IT, with major initiatives including the development of a new business tax portal and a tax representative portal, enhancement of the current individual tax portal, extension of the application of workflow technology, and the application of cloud services. Mr Hui commended IRD colleagues' efforts in embracing IT in their work and expressed the hope that the project will be implemented smoothly. Led by the Director of Accounting Services, Ms Susanna Cheung, directorate staff and Treasury grade officers had an exchange with Mr Hui on the Treasury's work, including consolidating and managing government accounts, as well as providing account and financial management services to other departments. They also had a meeting with frontline officers who are involved in implementing the Consumption Voucher Scheme and carrying out fund management work, thanking colleagues for their hard work and contributions. Lastly, Mr Hui visited the Audit Commission and met with the Director of Audit, Mr John Chu, directorate staff and representatives from the department's auditors and examiners. He then paid a visit to the Regularity Audit Division and the Value for Money Audit Division. Noting that auditing work is meticulous and complicated, Mr Hui asked about the challenges confronting colleagues and praised their high level of professionalism. ãã Mr Hui expressed deep appreciation to colleagues of the departments for steadfastly and diligently attending to their duties during the pandemic. He also appealed to departmental colleagues who are registered electors to vote in the geographical constituency and relevant functional constituency in the upcoming Legislative Council General Election. Mr Hui said, "The improvement of the electoral system ensures that the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' could be fully implemented. There is a good number of candidates in sectors directly related to the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, including accounting, insurance, finance and financial services. This is vividly a diverse and competitive election. "This Legislative Council election has four characteristics, namely broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition. I appeal again to colleagues and all Hong Kong citizens to earnestly understand candidates' election manifestos and policy advocacy. On December 19, please cast your vote for Hong Kong - our home, to elect new Legislative Council members who have the dedication and capability to build and develop a better Hong Kong."