The Government's inter-departmental licence application tracking system will be extended, prompting quicker food licence processing, the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee says.

The system enhances internal co-ordination and communication in processing food-related licences, and helps departments respond to applicant enquiries more quickly. The Government will review the measures with a view to extending them to more departments.

For liquor, restaurant, club and hotel licences, the Food & Environmental Hygiene and the Home Affairs Departments have assigned Business Facilitation Officers to assist in improving the licensing process.

The committee held its fourth meeting today, discussing the Government's "Be the Smart Regulator" programme and reviewing business facilitation task force work. Welcoming the programme, the committee said the move will further improve the licensing process and business environment.

The review on liquor licensing has been completed, and the implementation of the proposed recommendations will shorten the processing time of licence applications by 40%. The trade estimates it could save about $200 million annually.