Grand opening: Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority Chairman Charles Lee (second left) and guests open the authority's first branch office in Tsuen Wan.

The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority has set up its first branch office in Tsuen Wan to enhance its services at district level.

Officiating at the office's opening ceremony today, authority chairman Charles Lee said the office will boost the organisation's ties with the community. It will consider extending services to other districts after reviewing the effectiveness of the Tsuen Wan Office.

Located at 337-339 Sha Tsui Road, it is open 10am to 7pm weekdays, and from 10am to 1pm Saturday. Its public enquiry number is 2920 1111.

The office:

* handles public enquiries and complaints on MPF;

* provides basic information on individual preserved accounts, and distributes leaflets on the MPF system and investment;

* holds seminars, talks and other activities on MPF; and,

* organises educational exhibitions.

Meanwhile, the authority will enhance its services after it switches to a five-day week from September. Its head office's business hours will be extended 30 minutes daily from Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 5.45pm. On Saturdays the MPFA hotline, 2918 0102, will remain in service from 8.45am to noon.

The implementation of the five-day week will not affect the quality and efficiency of the authority's services and will not involve additional manpower.