The Independent Panel of Inquiry on the Harbour Fest has obtained approval from the Chief Executive to extend the deadline for submission of its report from March 31 to April 30.

The panel has asked for an extension of the deadline for submission of the report because it may have to conduct further meetings with the concerned parties after reviewing the documentation.

The Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year holidays have inevitably resulted in longer lead times for setting up meetings and for the submission of requisite information to the panel.

Apart from the parties involved in the planning and organisation of the Harbour Fest, the panel is meeting a number of industry experts.

An extension will allow more time to schedule these meetings.

Noting that the inquiry has been progressing well, the panel reminded members of the public who have views on the Harbour Fest to submit them as soon as possible.

Written submissions in English or Chinese can be sent to the Secretariat of the Independent Panel of Inquiry on the Harbour Fest by post (Room 101, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 11 Ice House Street, Central), by fax (2530 3963), or by email (harbourfestinq@citb.gov.hk).

People are asked to submit their views as early as possible. The panel will take into account all public views. It may include extracts from these views in its report and identify the sources unless anonymity is specifically requested.

Panel appointed in mid-December

The two-member panel comprising Moses Cheng, the senior partner of a solicitors firm, and Brian Stevenson, the former president of the HK Society of Accountants, was appointed by the Chief Executive on December 12.

The panel's terms of reference are:

* to examine the procedures for assessing and approving the American Chamber of Commerce's proposal for Harbour Fest in the Economic Relaunch Working Group;

* to evaluate the organisation, administration and implementation of Harbour Fest by AmCham and the Government's role in overseeing AmCham's actions in this regard;

* to identify the deficiencies, if any, of such procedures and processes, and where appropriate, the responsibility of any party for such deficiencies;

* to make recommendations, where appropriate, on improvements for any similar future events that might require Government sponsorship; and,

* to make a report with conclusions and recommendations to the Chief Executive.