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The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) will launch a publicity and public education campaign soon to raise public awareness and prepare the community for the commencement of the MPF Scheme by December 2000.

The multi-facet campaign will begin with television and radio commercials, an all-in-one guidebook, poster, telephone hotline and an interactive homepage, the MPFA Management Board and the MPF Schemes Advisory Committee were briefed at their meetings respectively today (Thursday).

"In the past months, we have been focusing on providing information via newspapers and seminars. Now with the market warming up, we consider that it is the right time to launch a territory-wide campaign to enhance the public awareness and knowledge about MPF," the Hon. Charles Lee Yeh-kwong, Chairman of the MPFA said.

Members were glad to learn that the Government had accorded the MPF Campaign the government major publicity campaign status in 2000-2001. An MPF Campaign Co-ordinating Committee will be set up in support of the effort of the Authority. Membership of the Committee covers various government departments, including representatives of the Director of Information Services, Director of Home Affairs, Commissioner for Labour, Director of Housing and Director of Broadcasting. The Secretary for Financial Services will chair the Committee.

Today, the Management Board endorsed the recommendation of the Selection Board to the Chief Executive to appoint the successful candidate for the post of the Managing Director of the MPFA.

"The appointment will be announced once it is made by the Chief Executive," said the Chairman.

At the meeting, the MPFA Management Board also endorsed the revised Code on MPF Investment Funds and the Guidelines on Capital Preservation Fund. The original version of the Code and Guidelines was released early this year to provide guidance to service providers in relation to the investment-related requirements in the MPF legislation.

"The Code and the Guidelines were revised to clarify the views of the MPFA on a number of provisions in the MPF legislation. It is hoped that the clarification can facilitate service providers in the administration of MPF schemes and clear any confusion within the industry," a spokesman for the MPFA said.

The revised Code and Guidelines will be distributed to members of the industry through their relevant associations. Soft copies will be uploaded on the website of the MPFA within the next few days.

End/Thursday, 9 December 1999