"Four-in-One" Seminar Series

The four SMEs centres co-organise "Four-in-One" seminar series regularly.  Theme of this seminar series in the first half of 2023 is “Business Upgrading and Transformation”, with an aim to assisting enterprises to achieve business upgrade and transformation.  The "SME ReachOut" would organise a webinar under this seminar series on 26 April 2023.  Interested persons are welcome to register at the link below.  Admission is Free.

SME ReachOut Webinar Series: Grab the Golden Opportunity for Business Expansion with Government Funding Support

(This webinar will be live-streamed on 26 April 2023)

This webinar will have a SME association representative sharing the latest market development and trends, as well as representatives of Government funding schemes secretariats introducing popular funding schemes, including the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales, the SME Export Marketing Fund, Technology Voucher Programme, and application tactics, with a view to assisting SMEs in seizing post-pandemic opportunities, and better utilising the Government funding in market expansion, business upgrade and transformation.  (This webinar will be conducted in Cantonese.)

For details, please click here.

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SUCCESS Activities

Keys to Attract Customers: Tell Good Story of Product (Seminar)

(This seminar will be held by SUCCESS on 28 April 2023 at Trade and Industry Tower)

Nowadays, customers value consumption experience, and hence are more likely to explore a product in their own ways, such as searching for product information online, and prefer buying from brands that aligned to their values.  In this seminar, the speaker will share how enterprises can use simple business tools, such as barcodes and QR codes, to attract more consumers, deepen their understanding of products and raise brand awareness, with a view to assisting SMEs in increasing their product exposure to drive sales and building brand loyalty.  (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)

More Details
 

SUCCESS-supported Activities

I. Enjoying the Benefits Under Tax Treaty: Certificate of Resident Status (CoR) and Impact of Foreign Source Income Exemption (FSIE) Regime (Seminar)

(This seminar will be live-streamed and held at the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association Building on 20 April 2023)

This seminar is organised by The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.  SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations.  In this seminar, tax experts will explain why a CoR is required for the purposes of claiming tax benefits under the Comprehensive Double Taxation Agreements / Arrangements, problems frequently encountered by individual Hong Kong residents and enterprises when applying for the CoR and solutions, as well as the impact of the new FSIE regime (which came into operation on 1 January 2023) on applying for the CoR.  (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)

More Details (in Chinese only)

II. “Hong Kong．IN．Brand Greater Bay” Serial Activities - Strategies and Experience Sharing Seminar 2023

(This seminar will be held at the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association Building on 25 April 2023)

This seminar is organised by the Hong Kong Brand Development Council and The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.  SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations.  In this seminar, speakers will share their observations on the rapidly-changing consumption culture and business environment in the GBA after the pandemic, the new trend of paradigm shifts brought about by international marketing technologies, as well as the "smart" way for Hong Kong brands to re-enter the GBA market.  (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)

More Details: Seminar (in Chinese only); Serial Activities

III. AI Business Tactics (Webinar)

(This webinar will be live-streamed on 27 April 2023)

This webinar is organised by the HKPC.  SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations.  This webinar will explain the latest technologies of Artificial Intelligence (AI) including ChatGPT, as well as the business application and future trend of AI.  (This webinar will be conducted in Cantonese.)

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IV. How to Promote Digital Transformation through ChatGPT and Digital Human (Seminar)

(This seminar will be held at the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association Building on 4 May 2023)

This seminar is organised by the Hong Kong Brand Development Council.  SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations.  This seminar will explain the application of ChatGPT and digital human, as well as how SMEs may make good use of these AI technologies to achieve digital transformation.  (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)

More Details (in Chinese only)
 

Meeting the "BRANDers" – The BUD Fund - Interview with Elegance Jewellery International Limited

To encourage and assist Hong Kong enterprises in developing their own brands and promoting their brands in the Mainland and overseas markets, the TID conducts interviews with representatives of local brands and experts so as to share their success stories and business strategies with the industries.  The TID has earlier on interviewed Mr William Chan, General Manager of Elegance Jewellery International Limited (EJI), to understand more about the company’s business strategy, and how EJI has made use of the BUD Fund to expand business in the Mainland.

More Details (in Chinese only)
 

Statutory Minimum Wage : Latest Revision

The Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) rate is raised to $40 per hour with effect from 1 May 2023.

The monthly monetary cap on the requirement of employers recording the total number of hours worked by employees is also revised to $16,300 with effect from 1 May 2023.

24-hour Enquiry Hotline : 2717 1771 (handled by “1823”)
Labour Department’s Homepage : https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/index.htm
 

Seminar on the Minimum Wage Ordinance

(This seminar will be held at the Lecture Theatre, G/F, the Hong Kong Central Library on 9 May 2023)

This seminar is organised by the Labour Department (LD).  The main provisions of the Minimum Wage Ordinance including the new Statutory Minimum Wage rate of $40 per hour effective from 1 May 2023 and family-friendly employment practices will be introduced in the seminar.  Employers, employees and human resources practitioners are welcome to attend.  (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese and admission is free.  Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and the enrolment deadline is 28 April 2023.)

More Details
 

First-stage Consultation on Enhancing the Review Mechanism of the Statutory Minimum Wage

The Minimum Wage Commission would like to invite views from various sectors on enhancing the review mechanism of the Statutory Minimum Wage on or before 24 April 2023.

More Details
 

Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 will come into effect from 1 May 2023

The Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 updates the Copyright Ordinance (Cap. 528) to strengthen copyright protection in the digital environment, including introducing:

• an exclusive technology-neutral communication right for copyright owners and criminal sanctions against infringements of the concerned new right
• several new and expanded copyright exceptions to maintain an appropriate balance between copyright protection and reasonable use of copyright works
• a "safe harbour regime" for incentivising online service providers to co-operate with copyright owners in combating online piracy

Repeal of provisions relating to COVID-19 vaccination under Employment Ordinance to take effect on 16 June 2023

The LD announced on 12 April 2023 that the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 (Commencement) Notice gazetted on 14 April 2023 will take effect on 16 June to repeal the provisions under the Employment Ordinance (EO) relating to a legitimate COVID-19 vaccination request (vaccination provisions).

Ancillary to the Government's anti-epidemic measures, the vaccination provisions have been added to the EO pursuant to the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 which took effect on 17 June 2022.  The relevant provisions stipulate that the dismissal of an employee due to non-compliance with a legitimate COVID-19 vaccination request made by his/her employer is not considered as an unreasonable dismissal.  With the Government's removal of the statutory Vaccine Pass requirement earlier and Hong Kong society resuming normalcy in full, having consulted the Health Bureau and the Department of Health, the Government will repeal the vaccination provisions under the EO on 16 June 2023 after LegCo's full negative vetting period has run its course.

Starting from 16 June 2023, there will be no vaccination provisions under the EO, and any legitimate vaccination request made under the EO prior to the aforesaid date shall cease to have effect on or after that date.

For details, please visit the LD's homepage at https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/index.htm or call 2717 1771 (the hotline is handled by 1823) for enquiry.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202304/12/P2023041100385.htm.
 

EPD announced special arrangement for Ex-gratia Payment Scheme for Phasing Out Euro IV Diesel Commercial Vehicles

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced on 17 April 2023 a special arrangement for the Ex-gratia Payment Scheme for Phasing Out Euro IV Diesel Commercial Vehicles.  For Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles first registered in 2008, the deadline for applying for an ex-gratia payment will be extended by one year to 31 December 2024.

To improve roadside air quality and better safeguard public health, the EPD launched in 2020 an ex-gratia payment scheme to progressively phase out by the end of 2027 about 40 000 Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles (DCVs) including goods vehicles, non-franchised buses and light buses.  Eligible vehicle owners should, during the implementation of the scheme, scrap their Euro IV DCVs through vehicle scrapping companies registered under the scheme.  They should then go to the Transport Department to cancel the registration of their DCVs before the deadline, and apply for the ex-gratia payment within three months after the cancellation of the vehicle's registration.

EPD reminds the vehicle owners concerned that approval of the ex-gratia payment is still subject to the applicant meeting all other prevailing eligibility criteria and completing all necessary procedures under the ex-gratia payment scheme, and submitting the application for the ex-gratia payment on or before 31 December 2024.

Moreover, in accordance with the Air Pollution Control (Air Pollutant Emission)(Controlled Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 311X), the Government will stop issuing/renewing vehicle licences for Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2008 after 31 December 2023.  The vehicle owners concerned who need to apply for vehicle licence renewal after the deadline shall apply to the EPD for exemption under Section 6 of the Regulation for extending the retirement deadline.

For details of the ex-gratia payment scheme and the above special arrangement, please refer to the EPD's website (https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/Phasing_out_euro_iv_comm_veh.html) or contact the EPD by calling 2651 1100 or by email to EU4dcv@epd.gov.hk.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202304/17/P2023041200267.htm.
 

TD reminds vehicle owners to open HKeToll account and set up payment methods

The TD reminds vehicle owners who have received a vehicle tag but not yet opened an HKeToll account to open an account and set up payment means so that they can pay tunnel tolls through the HKeToll service.

As of 3 April 2023, more than 610,000 vehicle tags had been issued, of which over 62 per cent of vehicle owners had opened HKeToll accounts.  The Tsing Sha Control Area (Eagle's Nest Tunnel, Sha Tin Heights Tunnel and Tai Wai Tunnel) will implement the HKeToll from 5am on 7 May 2023.  The TD appeals to vehicle owners who have yet to open an account to complete the relevant registration procedures as soon as possible and install the vehicle tags according to the instructions in the packaging.  The TD will continue to strengthen the publicity on the HKeToll services through various channels, including television, radio, newspapers, automobile magazines, social media platforms, posters and pamphlets, banners, tunnel broadcasts and variable message signs.

To further facilitate members of the public to apply for the HKeToll services, starting from 4 April 2023, apart from the four customer service centres and four service outlets, the dedicated service counters for the taxi trade located at Rumsey Street in Sheung Wan and Tsuen Wan Government Car Parks have been opened to other vehicle owners to make appointments for applying for vehicle tags, opening an account and setting up payment means.  They can visit the HKeToll website (https://www.hketoll.gov.hk/Landing) to make an appointment.  The 34 consultation counters located at MTR stations and the New Territories District Offices will continue to assist members of the public to apply for the HKeToll service.  Please refer to the Annex for the locations and service hours of the above facilities.

According to the arrangements announced earlier, commercial vehicle owners and rental drivers can split the tolls by using the HKeToll mobile app, monthly statement or two-piece device (i.e. driver card and card holder).  In response to a request from the trade, a new measure will be introduced.  With effect from 7 May 2023, a deposit of $100 will be refunded when a rental driver of commercial vehicles (including taxis and public light buses) returns the first driver card he/she purchased, provided that the card functions properly and is not damaged.  To cater for the operational needs of taxis and public light buses, the TD will continue to provide one-stop services to the trades, assisting them in applying for vehicle tags, opening accounts and setting up payment means, and holding seminars on how to use the functions of HKeToll services after its implementation, including checking transaction records, topping up accounts, paying tolls in arrears and managing tolls of vehicle fleets.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202304/04/P2023040400472.htm.

Updated commitments on trade in services under Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and Chile entered into force

The updated commitments on trade in services under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Hong Kong and Chile entered into force on 6 April 2023.  The high-quality updated commitments further strengthen and deepen trade co-operation between the two economies as they create more opportunities for businesses and investors in Hong Kong and Chile.

Signed in January 2022, the updated commitments improve existing commitments under the FTA and open up more service sectors of both sides.  Of note is that Chile has made commitments in over 50 new service sectors, encompassing priority service sectors in which Hong Kong has traditional strengths or has potential for priority development, such as professional and business services, technical testing and analysis services, convention services, computer and related services, communication services including audio-visual services, distribution services and education services.  Relevant Hong Kong services as well as their providers, subject to specific exceptions or conditions, are able to enjoy access to the Chilean market and treatment no less favourable than that for Chile's local service providers.  Details of the FTA and the updated commitments, including the full text, are available on the TID website (https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/ita/fta/hkclfta/index.html).

"We welcome the entry into force of the updated services commitments that comes at an opportune time when world trade is reviving after the pandemic.  The updated commitments will create better opportunities for our businesses and investors in diversifying their markets.  It also demonstrates the Government’s dedicated efforts in seeking more favourable access to international markets as well as promoting the strengths of Hong Kong’s services sectors overseas," the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said.

"Hong Kong’s service providers can now enjoy deepened and broadened access to the Chilean market.  I encourage our traders and service providers to seize this invaluable opportunity to unleash the untapped business opportunities in Chile, which is our first FTA partner in Latin America as well as a gateway to the Latin American markets," Mr Yau added.

Since the FTA came into force in 2014, bilateral merchandise trade between Hong Kong and Chile recorded an average annualised growth of over 10 per cent from 2015 to 2022, notwithstanding the challenges posed by the pandemic and external environment in recent years.  To date, Hong Kong has signed eight FTAs with 20 economies, namely the Mainland, the Macao Special Administrative Region, the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia, Chile, the four member states of the European Free Trade Association, Georgia and New Zealand, all of which have entered into force.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202304/04/P2023040400511.htm.
 

Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2023 gazetted

The Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2023 was gazetted on 6 April 2023.

The introduction of the Bill aims to implement a measure to trawl for talents as announced in the 2022 Policy Address by introducing a refund mechanism (Proposed Refund Mechanism) under the Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) and New Residential Stamp Duty (NRSD) regimes for non-Hong Kong permanent residents (non-HKPRs) who have entered Hong Kong under designated talent admission schemes, purchased a residential property in Hong Kong on or after 19 October 2022, and subsequently become Hong Kong permanent residents (HKPRs).

Under the Proposed Refund Mechanism, for an eligible incoming talent who acquired a residential property in Hong Kong on or after 19 October 2022, and has subsequently become an HKPR, he/she can apply for a refund of the BSD and the NRSD paid for the residential property which, at the time it was purchased, was his/her only residential property (save for replacing property) and he/she still holds on the date of the application for refund.  The Ad Valorem Stamp Duty at Scale 2 rates (i.e. the rates applicable to first-time home buyers who are HKPRs) will still be payable such that the overall stamp duty charged will be on par with that charged on first-time home buyers who are HKPRs.  The Inland Revenue Department will start accepting refund applications after the approval and gazettal of the new legislation.

The Proposed Refund Mechanism can attract incoming talents to stay in Hong Kong for long-term development by substantially reducing their cost of property purchase, as talents who have a residential property in Hong Kong would have a higher propensity of staying here for good.

The Bill was introduced into the Legislative Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading (debate adjourned) on 19 April 2023.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202304/06/P2023040600265.htm.
 

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2023 gazetted

The Government published the Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2023 in the Gazette on 6 April 2023.

The Bill seeks to amend the Insurance Ordinance (Cap. 41) and other relevant legislation for providing the legal framework to implement a Risk-based Capital (RBC) regime for the Hong Kong insurance industry.

The Bill will serve to enhance Hong Kong's insurance regulatory regime in alignment with international standards, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre and a risk management centre.  The new regime, which will replace the existing rule-based capital adequacy regime, will render the capital requirements imposed on insurance companies more sensitive to their asset and liability matching, risk profile and mix of products, thereby further strengthening the financial soundness of the Hong Kong insurance industry.

The International Association of Insurance Supervisors issued the Insurance Core Principles to prescribe global insurance regulatory standards, including principles for a risk-based approach to capital adequacy requirements.  To prepare for the implementation of the new regime, the Government and the Insurance Authority (IA) have maintained close contact with the industry and conducted rounds of quantitative studies and consultation.  The Bill proposes amendments to capital requirements, valuation of assets and liabilities, requirements on submission and disclosure of information, etc, in relation to the RBC regime, as well as empowering the IA to prescribe the detailed requirements by way of subsidiary legislation.

The Bill was introduced into the Legislative Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading (debate adjourned) on 19 April 2023.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202304/06/P2023040600244.htm.
 

SIE Fund invites proposals for Venture Building Initiative from organisations

The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) Task Force invites proposals from organisations that are interested in taking forward the Venture Building Initiative (VBI).

The SIE Fund has earlier invited expressions of interest for implementing the VBI.  The response was encouraging and 19 returns were received from different sectors including non-government organisations, philanthropies, consultancies and investors, etc.  The Fund plans to launch the initiative in the second half of 2023.  Suitable organisation(s) will be engaged to assist social ventures in building a collaborative network, particularly through introducing the rich resources and expertise from business sectors/investors, to help social ventures grow, thereby fostering sustainable development of the social innovation ecosystem and bring about a greater social impact.  Interested organisations can submit their proposals for the VBI by 6pm on 23 June 2023.

An invitation brief setting out the scope of intermediary services, the eligibility and submission requirements, the assessment process and selection criteria, as well as key engagement terms for the VBI are available for download at the SIE Fund website (https://www.sie.gov.hk/en/what-we-do/venture_building_initiative.page).  For further information and inquiries, please visit the SIE Fund website or contact the SIE Fund Task Force Secretariat at 2165 7261.

The SIE Fund was inaugurated in 2013 and is overseen by the SIE Fund Task Force under the Commission on Poverty.  The Task Force Secretariat is established in the Efficiency Office under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau.  The SIE Fund acts as a catalyst for social innovation in Hong Kong.  By facilitating social innovation and cultivating social entrepreneurship, the Fund aims to make an impact in alleviating poverty and social exclusion, promote social integration as well as enhance the well-being and cohesion of society.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202304/17/P2023041700258.htm.