SUCCESS Activities

I. Youth Entrepreneurship Opportunities in GBA (Seminar)

(This seminar will be held by SUCCESS on 7 June 2023 at Trade and Industry Tower)

The rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) brings about enormous opportunities for Hong Kong young entrepreneurs.  In this seminar, enterprise representatives operating businesses in GBA are invited to provide practical information on the GBA market and the concessionary policy initiatives introduced by various municipal governments in the GBA, as well as share their experiences of doing business there, with a view to assisting young people in grasping the opportunities of GBA development.  (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)

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II. How to Apply ChatGPT for Your Business (Seminar)

(This seminar will be held by SUCCESS on 15 June 2023 at Trade and Industry Tower)

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot, ChatGPT, brings enormous challenges and opportunities to various industries.  In this seminar, an expert will explain the advantages, limitations, business applications and strategies of ChatGPT.  AI hands-on exercises will also be included in this seminar for the participants to experience the power of new technology, with a view to assisting SMEs in making good use of technology to improve productivity.  (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)

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SUCCESS-supported Activities

I. Business Transformation Strategies and Practices of Hong Kong Enterprises in GBA (Seminar)

(This seminar will be live-streamed and held at the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association Building on 2 June 2023)

This seminar is organised by The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.  SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations.  This seminar will focus on hot topics related to business model transformation, taxation and land issues in GBA, as well as analysis of the relevant policies in GBA and the latest trends in business strategies and operational practices.  (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)

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II. Expanding into the GBA Area with Ease - Practical Digital Solutions and BUD Fund Showcase! (Event)

(This event will be held at the HKPC Building on 9 June 2023)

This event is organised by the HKPC.  SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations.  There will be thematic seminars to share the latest market trends in GBA, introduce relevant funding schemes and discuss how digital tools and industry initiatives can help SMEs expand to other GBA cities.  Physical booths will be available on-site for demonstrating different solutions for digital transformation and providing real-time consultations, with a view to assisting SMEs in making good use of digital tools to expand their businesses to other GBA cities.  (This event will be conducted in Cantonese.)

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III. New Opportunities after the Pandemic – Mobile E-Commerce EASY GO!! Part 2 (Event)

(This event will be held at the Hong Kong Retail Management Association on 16 June 2023)

This event is organised by the Hong Kong Retail Management Association. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations.  This event will share the latest information technology and retail industry knowledge, with a view to assisting SMEs in embracing the new mobile commerce trend and creating new markets. (This event will be conducted in Cantonese.)

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Mainland and Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR Intellectual Property Symposium 2023

(The Symposium will be held in Macao on 14 June 2023)

The Symposium is jointly organised by the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of China National Intellectual Property Administration, the Intellectual Property Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region.  Speakers of the Symposium will introduce the latest development of intellectual property (IP) in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and explore through case sharing how to effectively protect and use IP rights to facilitate technological innovation, as well as share experiences on trademark protection and corporate branding, which help deepen IP exchange and cooperation among the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao and promote innovative development of enterprises.  For details and registration, please visit https://www.ip.gov.hk/en/whats-new/index_id_173.html.  The Symposium will be conducted in Putonghua and simultaneous interpretation in English will be provided.  Participation in the Symposium is free of charge.  Transportation, meals and accommodation should be arranged by participants at their own expenses.  For enquiries, please contact Miss Jasmine Bootwala at (852) 2961 6833.
 

Intellectual Property Department: IP Training Programme “IP102: IP Management and Protection in the Mainland”

(This course will be conducted at the VTC Tower, Wan Chai on 27 June and 4 July 2023)

Organised by the Intellectual Property Department, the 2023 IP Training Programme has been rolled out and the following course is now open for registration.

"IP102: IP Management and Protection in the Mainland" aims to introduce the registration methods, protection mechanisms, management strategies and enforcement actions of intellectual property (IP) rights in the Mainland of China, allowing participants to fully grasp the fundamental knowledge of the IP system in the Mainland.  This course will be conducted by local legal experts with practical experience and familiar with the Mainland IP system.  The medium of instruction will be Cantonese.  Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the training course.

Interested participants may first enroll in the "IP Manager Scheme PLUS" for free by filling out an online form to get priority in course registration.Registration fee for the course is waived for members of the Scheme.

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Registration
 

Employment Guidelines on Wage Reductions and Retrenchments

The Labour Department provides the leaflets and booklets on wage reductions and retrenchments for reference of employers and employees when organisations may need to implement cost cutting measures.  Employers are also reminded of their obligations under the Employment Ordinance.

Guidelines on What to do if Wage Reductions and Retrenchments are Unavoidable
Do’s and Don’ts – When Wage Reductions and Retrenchments are Unavoidable
 

Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 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

Government announced expanded Talent List to attract more high-quality talent

The Government announced on 16 May 2023 the expanded Talent List that increases the coverage from 13 professions to 51 and that immediately applies to the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), the General Employment Policy (GEP) and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), with a view to attracting more high-quality talent to come and meeting Hong Kong's development needs.

The 2022 Policy Address announced that the Government would update the List to reflect the latest shortage of professional and technical talent spanning different fields.  The Labour and Welfare Bureau and relevant bureaux and departments commenced the relevant work immediately and consulted stakeholders of industry organisations of various sectors, major business chambers and the Human Resources Planning Commission in order to update the professions covered under the List.

The updated List (see Annex) comprises 51 professions under nine industry segments, namely business support; creative industries, arts and culture, performing arts; development and construction; environmental technology services; financial services; healthcare services; innovation and technology; legal and dispute resolution services; and maritime services.

A Government spokesman said, "The main thrust of Hong Kong’s manpower policy is nurturing local talent, complemented by attracting outside talent, with a view to enriching the talent pool of Hong Kong and meeting Hong Kong’s social and economic development needs.  The expanded List helps Hong Kong attract more high-quality talent supporting the high-quality economic and social development of Hong Kong."

The updated List, detailed specifications of individual professions and the guidance note for applying under the admission schemes have been uploaded to the dedicated website (https://www.talentlist.gov.hk/en/index.html) and the online platform of Hong Kong Talent Engage (https://www.hkengage.gov.hk/en/).  Those interested in submitting applications for the admission schemes can visit the electronic application platform of the Immigration Department (https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/index.html#tab_b_1) and submit their online applications directly.

The Government drew up the first List with 11 professions in 2018, with a view to attracting high-quality talent in an effective and focused manner to support Hong Kong's development into a high value-added and diversified economy.  Upon a review in 2021, the List was expanded to cover 13 professions.  Under the QMAS, eligible applicants who meet the requirements of respective professions on the List will be awarded 30 bonus points under the General Points Test to stand a much better chance of approval.  Starting from 28 December 2022, employers recruiting talent under the GEP and the ASMTP to fill vacancies falling under the professions on the List are not required to provide proof to substantiate their difficulties in local recruitment when making applications, thus shortening the time for employers to recruit outside talent.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202305/16/P2023051600337.htm.
 

Bankruptcy and Companies Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2023 gazetted

The Government published the Bankruptcy and Companies Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2023 (the Bill) in the Gazette on 25 May 2023.

The Bill seeks to amend the Bankruptcy Ordinance (Cap. 6), the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) and the relevant subsidiary legislation to enable implementation of the Electronic Submission System (ESS) for the Official Receiver's Office (ORO); streamline the publication requirements for insolvency and related notices; and introduce miscellaneous amendments.

The ESS will enhance the ORO's services, strengthen the monitoring of insolvency cases, create a more automated working environment and support electronic payments.  The ORO will implement the ESS by phases starting from the fourth quarter of 2023.  Furthermore, to streamline the process and reduce advertising costs, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau proposed to mandate publishing insolvency and related notices only by the Government Gazette, which is now easily accessible online.

The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading on 7 June.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202305/25/P2023052400419.htm.
 

Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Order 2023 gazetted

The Government published in the Gazette on 19 May 2023 the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2) Order 2023 (Order) to amend the control list of strategic commodities set out in the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Cap. 60, sub. leg. G) (Regulations).

"As a responsible trading partner and an international trading hub, Hong Kong has been following closely the controls adopted by leading international regimes and convention of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.  The purpose of the Order is to reflect the changes adopted by the international regimes with respect to the technologies and items under control as well as the control thresholds.  At the same time, the Order extends the import, export, transhipment and transit control stipulated in the Regulations to articles regulated under the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)," a spokesman for the TID said.

Hong Kong's control list of strategic commodities mirrors the prevailing lists adopted by international regimes and convention of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, namely the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction.  The last updated control list came into effect in September 2021.  The current amendments serve to reflect the recent changes on the control lists adopted by the international regimes in view of the latest technology advancement, market trends and risk of illegal diversion.

At the same time, with the accession of the country to the ATT as a State Party, the Central People's Government has extended the application of the ATT to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under Article 153 of the Basic Law.  Hong Kong therefore has to update the control list of strategic commodities to cover the articles regulated under the ATT through the Order.

The Order has been tabled at the Legislative Council on 24 May 2023.  The Government plans to bring the Order into effect in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The TID will inform traders of the details of the amendments via a trade circular and through its website (https://www.stc.tid.gov.hk/eindex.html).  Enquiries can be made to the Strategic Trade Controls Branch of the department by telephone at 2398 5587 or by email at stc@tid.gov.hk.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202305/19/P2023051800396.htm.
 

Government welcomed passage of Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2023

The Government welcomed the passage of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2023 (the Bill) by the Legislative Council on 17 May 2023.  The Bill gives effect to a proposal on stamp duty made in the 2023-24 Budget, which adjusts the value bands of ad valorem stamp duty (AVD) payable for sale and purchase or transfer of residential and non-residential properties (Scale 2 rates).

The proposal mainly aims at easing the burden on ordinary families of purchasing their first residential properties, particularly small and medium residential units.  After the adjustment to the value bands of AVD at Scale 2 rates, the stamp duty applicable to the property transactions with amount or value of consideration between $2 million and just below $10,080,000 will be reduced, with the amount of reduction up to $67,500.  The adjustment will benefit around 37 000 property buyers, and reduce the tax revenue of the Government by about $1.9 billion a year.

The adjustment has come into effect at 11am on 22 February 2023 in accordance with the Public Revenue Protection (Stamp Duty) Order 2023 published in the Gazette on the same day.  Any instrument executed before 11am of this day remains chargeable to AVD at the original Scale 2 rates.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202305/17/P2023051700355.htm.
 

Public consultation on proposed amendments to Preservatives in Food Regulation launched till 28 August 2023

The Government launched on 29 May 2023 a public consultation exercise on the proposed amendments to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD) (the Regulation).  It will last for three months until 28 August.

One of the initiatives set out in the Policy Measures of the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address is to review and update by phases the food safety legislation relating to additives in food to further enhance food safety.  The first phase covers preservatives and antioxidants in food.

The Government proposes to enhance and update the Regulation, so as to keep local standards of preservatives and antioxidants in food on par with international standards.  At the same time, putting more preservatives and antioxidants under regulation would enhance clarity and offer more choices of permitted preservatives and antioxidants applicable to a wide range of food categories to the food trade.  It would also enhance consumer protection.

The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have made reference to the latest General Standard on Food Additives of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and its relevant commodity standards in reviewing the Regulation and formulating the proposed amendments.  The review is also supplemented with standards of the Mainland and other major food trading partners.

The proposed amendments include:

• updating the definitions of "preservatives" and "antioxidants" with reference to the definitions of the Codex;
• updating the list of permitted preservatives/antioxidants; and
• updating/stipulating the maximum permitted levels of the permitted preservatives/antioxidants in specific food categories.