Hong Kong Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said on Wednesday that 325 applications have been approved under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme since its implementation in October 2003.

Speaking at the special meeting of the Legislative Council's Finance Committee, Lee said the total investment amounted to 2.4 billion HK dollars (307 million US dollars), with an average of 7. 39 million HK dollars (947,435 US dollars) per entrant.

The figure has exceeded the minimum requisite amount of 6.5 million HK dollars (833,333 US dollars), he added.

On the Admission of Chinese mainland Talents & Professional Scheme which was implemented in July, 2003, Lee said as at the end of February, 5,705 out of 6,897 applications received so far had been approved.

The secretary told lawmakers that new and enhanced services in the policy areas of internal security and immigration control will be introduced with savings earned through efficiency measures.

On immigration control, the government plans to install about 270 e-channels at its control points by mid-2006, and complete the installation of Automated Vehicle Clearance kiosks for all vehicle control points in phases by the first half of 2005, he said.

Source:Xinhua