This undated file photo shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, a landmark project of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. (WANG JIAXIN / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The governments of Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions have agreed to increase the regular quotas for Hong Kong cross-boundary non-commercial private cars using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) to Macao, the Transport Department said Thursday.

The department said in a statement that the decision to increase the quotas by 1,000 on top of the existing 1,800 was made to enhance traffic flow between Hong Kong and Macao and to better utilize the HZMB. Private cars allocated with Hong Kong quotas will be permitted to access Macao multiple times via the HZMB.

Five hundred quotas will be issued under the first phase, with 250 company quotas and 250 individual quotas

“The additional 1,000 quotas will be distributed in two phases from the second quarter of 2023. Five hundred quotas are allocated for company applicants and 500 are for individual applicants,” the statement reads.

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The department said the quotas are valid for no more than three years and, if the number of applications exceeds the specified number of quotas, it will carry out balloting to determine the order of applications to be processed.

Five hundred quotas will be issued under the first phase, with 250 company quotas and 250 individual quotas. These can be used for travel via the HZMB from the second quarter of 2023 until May 31, 2026, the TD said.

The remaining 500 can be used from the third quarter of 2023 until July 31, 2026, it added.

According to the department, the company quota is open to companies registered in both Hong Kong and Macao, or companies registered in Hong Kong and associated with another company registered in Macao.

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The quota for individuals is open to Hong Kong permanent residents employed with remuneration in Macao or who have established a registered company in Macao, it added.