Quotas changed due to rising demand

Quota arrangements for the Working Holiday Schemes between Hong Kong and Australia, and for that with Germany, were changed yesterday due to demand. The quota for Hongkongers travelling to Australia, currently set at 1,000, will be abolished, while the number of Australians allowed to come to Hong Kong will be raised from 1,000 to 5,000. The annual quota for the German scheme will rise from 100 to 150. Bilateral working holiday schemes are in operation between Hong Kong and New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Japan and Canada. About 12,300 Hongkongers have taken part, while some 1,500 youngsters have come to Hong Kong.