HONG KONG CONNECT


	Reception in celebration of the 26^th anniversary of establishment of the HKSAR Speaking at the reception in celebration of the 26^th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr John Lee, said that Hong Kong will fully and faithfully implement the principle of “one country, two systems”, and will continue to proactively and actively integrate into the overall development of the country by participating in and promoting the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Belt and Road Initiative. He said that Hong Kong is now driving down the fast lane of recovery at full speed and has returned to positive economic growth. Mr Lee stressed that Hong Kong will move full steam ahead with the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, as well as proactively attracting strategic enterprises to Hong Kong, and capitalise on the city’s distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. More details on the Chief Executive’s speech here.

	The Chief Executive leads delegation to attend 2023 Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, led a HKSAR delegation to attend the 2023 Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference on 7 July. Mr Lee said that the PPRD regional co-operation provides the most ideal opportunities and platform for facilitating Hong Kong’s active integration into national development. The delegation discussed cooperation in various sectors, including finance, maritime, aviation and logistics, and innovation and technology (I&T). The conference also endorsed seven key tasks for regional development for the year. More details here.

	Transport and Logistics Bureau organises sharing session to introduce enhanced Maritime and Aviation Internship Scheme The Transport and Logistics Bureau organised a Maritime and Aviation Internship Scheme Boat Tour cum Sharing Session on 14 July to introduce features of the enhanced Scheme and Hong Kong’s marine facilities to students of tertiary institutions and secondary schools and to encourage them to join the two sectors after graduation. With the enhanced Scheme, applications for maritime internship places are now open and accepted throughout the year, and the eligibility for internship applications for the two sectors has been extended to those Hong Kong residents who are lawfully employable in Hong Kong and who at the same time fulfil any one of the following criteria: (i) full-time local students (including students who are in the final year of their study) undertaking undergraduate or sub-degree programmes in any local institutions; or (ii) full-time students (including students who are in the final year of their study) undertaking undergraduate or sub-degree programmes in any institutions outside Hong Kong; or (iii) Secondary-6 school leavers. More details here. For the latest details of the Scheme, please visit the website of the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund.

	The Financial Secretary’s speech at the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants CPA Congress 2023 Speaking at the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants CPA Congress 2023 on 15 July, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said that Hong Kong’s achievements and success are premised on the “one country, two systems” arrangement which has made Hong Kong unique, and that the international financial centre (IFC) and I&T will be the dual major engines powering Hong Kong’s economic growth in the coming decades. On the IFC, he said that Hong Kong must embark on green and sustainable finance and emphasised the huge opportunities of Hong Kong as an offshore Renminbi hub, and highlighted the Government’s substantial investment into developing the I&T sector and building a vibrant ecosystem. Mr Chan also introduced the establishment of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) and the HK$30 billion Co-Investment Fund to attract enterprises by co-investing in or with them. More details on the Financial Secretary’s speech here.

	Resumption of postal service to certain destinations Hongkong Post announced that with the gradual scaling up of air freight capacity and provision of transit assistance by other postal administrations, airmail services to four destinations, including New Zealand, has been resumed from 19 July. Additional conveyance time may be required for mail items destined for New Zealand as mail items have to be transited via other postal administrations. More details here. For service availability for overseas destinations, please visit the webpage of Hongkong Post.



	Business seminar held in Sydney to promote Hong Kong’s latest developments in logistics, maritime and aviation HKETO jointly organised a business seminar with Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Australian Trade and Logistics Corporation in Sydney on 6 July to promote the latest developments in logistics, maritime and aviation in Hong Kong. Addressing the seminar in a video speech, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said that Hong Kong excels in the logistics, maritime and aviation sectors, with Shipping Register as the fourth largest in the world in terms of gross tonnage and the airport as the world’s busiest international cargo airport. He added that the National 14^th Five-Year Plan has supported the development of the international maritime centre and international aviation hub in Hong Kong, and highlighted an array of initiatives ranging from tax concessions, sustainability, smart and digitalisation to major infrastructural developments. The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, said that a premium geographical location, top-notch infrastructure, high-quality service providers, and simple and low tax regime give Hong Kong its competitive edge to be a premier hub in Asia and gateway for trade between the Mainland and the rest of the world. She encouraged participants to take part in the upcoming Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference in November in Hong Kong.

	Director of HKETO Sydney attended “Going Global Panel + Mixer: Hong Kong” Event HKETO jointly organised the “Going Global Panel + Mixer: Hong Kong” event with the HKTDC and Fishburners in Sydney on 13 July to promote Hong Kong as the ideal destination for start-ups to grow and scale. Addressing the event, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, said that the Government attaches great importance to cultivating an exciting start-up ecosystem. Hong Kong boasts some 4 000 start-ups and over 10 unicorns, and was ranked first in Asia, and second globally, among the top emerging start-up ecosystems in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023. She added that the Government is also boosting technology collaboration between Hong Kong and the GBA. Miss Lim also introduced a raft of proactive initiatives rolled out by the Government to attract top talent and enterprises, as well as the work of OASES and Invest Hong Kong.

	Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Food and Wine Appreciation Dinner organised by the Queensland Chapter of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, attended the Food and Wine Appreciation Dinner organised by the Queensland Chapter of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association (HKABA) on 21 July. Miss Lim shared with the participants that with the unique advantages of zero wine duty or tariff, world-class commercial infrastructure and multi-talented wine and culinary professionals, Hong Kong will continue to present immense market opportunities to the wine trade as Asia’s leading wine hub and a global centre for wine trading and auctions. Miss Lim also highlighted the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival and the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair to be held in late October and early November respectively, and encouraged the participants to visit Hong Kong to enjoy the finest wine from around the world and explore the immense business opportunities.

	Director of HKETO Sydney virtually attended the “Hong Kong as an International Innovation and Technology Hub” Networking Event organised by the Western Australia Chapter of the HKABA The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, virtually attended the “Hong Kong as an International Innovation and Technology Hub” Networking Event organised by the Western Australia Chapter of the HKABA on 26 July. Miss Lim highlighted that Hong Kong has been Asia’s largest and the world’s second largest fundraising hub for biotechnology companies in recent years. The Government promulgated the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint at the end of last year to map out a clear development path and major strategies of future I&T development, charting Hong Kong in moving full steam towards the vision of an international I&T centre. Miss Lim encouraged participants to visit Hong Kong to discover the exciting I&T development in the city.

	Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Business Awards Gala Dinner organised by the Victoria Chapter of the HKABA The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, attended the Business Awards Gala Dinner organised by the Victoria Chapter of the HKABA on 27 July. Miss Lim highlighted the close and ever-growing trade and economic ties between Hong Kong and Victoria. She stressed that Hong Kong’s achievements are premised on the “one country, two systems” arrangement, maintaining the capitalist market system and the common law system while serving as the best gateway and springboard to the GBA and Mainland market. Miss Lim shared that the Government has received over 100 000 applications from different talent schemes in the first half of the year, and invited all to visit the city to explore the unlimited business opportunities.

	Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney virtually attended the Student Career Start-Up Drive organised by the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association The Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, virtually attended the Student Career Start-Up Drive organised by the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association on 31 July. Mr Mak said that Hong Kong has been highly regarded by many as one of the most important international financial centres and is the only city where the Mainland advantages and international advantages converge. He also highlighted the Government’s work to create stronger impetus for further economic growth, in particular the proactive initiatives rolled out by the Government to attract top talent and enterprises such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme and the expanded Talent List of Hong Kong.



	*8^th Belt and Road Summit (Hong Kong)* To be held from 13 to 14 September, the 8^th Belt and Road Summit is a premier international platform for promoting business collaboration along the Belt and Road. The Summit gathers senior government officials and business leaders from countries and regions along and beyond the Belt and Road to exchange insights on multilateral co-operation and explore concrete business opportunities. More details here.

	*Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival (Hong Kong)* The highly anticipated Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival will make its grand return to the Central Harbourfront from 26 to 29 October. Set against the breathtaking Victoria Harbour skyline, the four-day event offers a sensational outdoor wine and dine experience. Wineries and brewers from around the world will bring you a vibrant selection of liquor assortments, while local culinary masters serve up their delectable creations and signature dishes. More details here.

	*Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023 (Hong Kong and Online)* To be held from 30 October to 5 November, Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023 is one of the most influential and largest fintech events in Asia, bringing together top industry leaders, regulators, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world to discuss the latest trends and innovations in financial technology. Organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong; and co-organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Insurance Authority, and Securities and Futures Commission, the event features a range of activities including exhibitions, keynotes and panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions and business matchmaking, thus providing an unparalleled platform for participants to connect, share insights, and explore new business opportunities. More details here.

	*Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (Hong Kong and Online)* To be held from 3 to 5 November, the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair is an incomparable wine and spirits industry platform full of grape expectations. Highlights include the Fine Wines and Premium Spirits zone, serving as the ideal promotion and sourcing platform for exhibitors and buyers from around the world. World-class beers are also on display, tapping into the growing demand for the beer market. More details here.

	*StartmeupHK Festival 2023 (Hong Kong)* The annual StartmeupHK Festival is a unique platform for start-ups, investors, industry leaders, tech enthusiasts and government officials to exchange ideas, make connections and chart a course for the future. Guided by the theme “A Future Unlimited”, the 2023 edition is set to return from 8 to 17 November, featuring a series of main events with discussions on hot topics such as Web3, HealthTech, PropTech and sustainability, alongside pitching competitions, business-matching sessions and many more. More details here.

Updates on Latest Situation in Hong Kong