Self-reliance: Financial Secretary Henry Tang visits a social-enterprise restaurant in Tseung Kwan O.

Financial Secretary Henry Tang says social enterprise, operated on a self-financing basis, can provide job-training opportunities for the disadvantaged and enhance their self-confidence.

Mr Tang and members of the Commission on Poverty today visited a resident club restaurant in Tseung Kwan O, a social enterprise operated by the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council.

It operates nine social-enterprise units, including a restaurant, a one-stop household service, mobile car-cleaning and laundry services, offering 88 jobs and 450 training opportunities a year.

Praising the achievement, Mr Tang said their high quality client-based service has gained the acceptance and trust of the business sector and residents.

Fostering collaboration

He said their service also contributes to fostering collaboration between the disabled and the community, providing a good role model for other organisations.

At an experience sharing session today, representatives of residents and the estate management company expressed appreciation for the one-stop household service provided by the council.

To explore more about the development of social enterprises in Hong Kong, the commission also organised a lunch seminar for members of government advisory boards, departments and academia.