"Four-in-One" Seminar Series

Intellectual Property Department: IP Training Programme "IP101 IP Basics"

(This course will be held at Hall 1, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 7 & 8 December 2023.)

This intellectual property (IP) course organised by the Intellectual Property Department is now open for registration.

"IP101 IP Basics" introduces the basic knowledge of various intellectual properties, enabling participants to understand the rights of IP owners and users, thereby enhancing their capability of protecting and managing IP rights within the enterprise.  The course is an event of the "Business of IP Asia Forum 2023".  Each successful course applicant will be entitled to a complimentary pass of the Forum. (The medium of instruction will be Cantonese, with simultaneous interpretation service in English provided.)

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.  Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the training course.

More details and Registration

ASEAN Session on Unlocking Trade Mark Value - Pioneering with Brand Licensing

(This Session will be held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 8 December 2023)

This Session is organised by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat and the Intellectual Property Department, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization.

IP is an important engine for driving creativity, innovation and economic growth.  This Session will bring together IP policy makers, regulators and enterprises from ASEAN and Hong Kong, China as well as experts, licensing agents and international brand holders who navigate a diverse and rapidly evolving global business environment to explore effective strategies in maximising trade mark value.  Highlighting the latest policy updates and initiatives in trade mark protection, this Session will unveil the full potential of trade mark alongside success stories in utilising trade marks for licensing and business growth.  Admission to this Session is Free.  (This Session will be conducted in English, supported by simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua.)

More Details and Registration

2023/24 Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme opens for applications

The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) is inviting applications for the 2023/24 Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (the Scheme) from 13 November 2023 until 12 January 2024.

Court rules and commencement notice related to Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance gazetted

The Government on 10 November 2023 published in the Gazette the Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Rules and Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance (Commencement) Notice. The Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance (Cap. 645) and the Rules will come into operation on 29 January 2024.

The Ordinance, which seeks to implement the Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters by the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Hong Kong, establishes mechanisms in Hong Kong in respect of the registration in Hong Kong of Mainland Judgments in civil or commercial matters and the application to Hong Kong courts for certified copies of and certificates for Hong Kong Judgments in civil or commercial matters to facilitate parties in seeking recognition and enforcement of the Judgments on the Mainland. On the Mainland, the Arrangement will be implemented by way of judicial interpretation to be promulgated by the Supreme People’s Court (SPC).

The Government and the SPC have agreed for the Arrangement to come into operation on 29 January 2024. The Secretary for Justice, under section 1(2) of the Ordinance, appointed 29 January 2024, as the day on which the Ordinance comes into operation.

To complement the operation of the mechanisms established under the Ordinance, the Chief Judge of the High Court made the Rules under section 35 of the Ordinance. The provisions of the Rules cover matters including practice and procedure relating to applications under the Ordinance and the execution of registered judgments and the fees payable under the Ordinance.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice (DoJ) said, “The implementation of the Ordinance and the Rules establishes a more comprehensive mechanism for reciprocal enforcement of judgments (REJ) in civil and commercial matters between Hong Kong and the Mainland, thereby reducing the need for re-litigation of the same disputes in both places and offering better protection to the parties’ interests. They would enhance certainty and predictability of the cross-boundary enforceability of judgments in civil and commercial matters between the two places, and reduce the risks, legal costs, and time usually associated with the cross-boundary enforcement of such judgments. This would in turn improve the environment for cross-boundary trade and investment.

“Further, the breakthrough in expressly including judgments on certain intellectual property rights makes Hong Kong the first jurisdiction to have an REJ arrangement with the Mainland with such a wide coverage. This would help consolidate Hong Kong’s status as a regional intellectual property trading centre as well as a regional centre for international legal and dispute resolution services as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.”

The DoJ conducted a public consultation on the draft Rules with the relevant draft Bill between December 2021 and January 2022, and in this connection held meetings with some stakeholders. The majority of responses received were supportive of the draft Rules. The DoJ then also consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services and its members expressed support for the draft Rules.

With a view to familiarising legal practitioners and the general public with the mechanisms established under the Ordinance and the Rules, the Government is planning to launch publicity programmes, which include a seminar to be co-organised with the SPC on the commencement day (29 January 2024) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, a dedicated webpage to be set up on the DoJ’s departmental website as well as distribution of promotional leaflets.

The Rules and the Commencement Notice will be tabled before the Legislative Council on 15 November 2023 and be subject to negative vetting.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/10/P2023110900551.htm?fontSize=1.

Amended imports and exports classification list to take effect in 2024

The Customs and Excise Department reminded importers and exporters on 10 November 2023 that import or export declarations for shipments on or after 1 January 2024, must be completed in accordance with the amended classifications made to the current edition of the Hong Kong Imports and Exports Classification List (Harmonized System).

The amendments, published in the Gazette on 10 November 2023, will take effect from 1 January 2024.

The amendments involve 16 commodity items, including juice, chemical products, articles of wood, wire and cable, and motor vehicles.

These amendments will bring the classifications more in line with current requirements through the adoption of a more appropriate commodity sub-classifications and description.

Importers and exporters can obtain the amended list in the following ways:

(1) by downloading the list from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) at https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_1364.html; or

(2) by calling the Import/Export Declaration and Cargo Manifest Enquiry Hotline of the C&SD at 2877 1818.

For enquiries about trade classifications, please contact the Trade Classification Section of the C&SD through the Commodity Code Enquiry Hotline at 3178 8933, by fax to 2824 2782 or by email to trade-declaration@censtatd.gov.hk.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/10/P2023111000261.htm?fontSize=1.

Deepening Fintech Innovation Supervisory Cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) and the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) jointly issued a press release on 9 November 2023 announcing that the three authorities had signed the “Memorandum of Understanding on Deepening Fintech Innovation Supervisory Cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)”. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the three authorities agreed to link up, in the form of a network, the PBoC’s Fintech Innovation Regulatory Facility, the HKMA’s Fintech Supervisory Sandbox and the AMCM’s Regulatory Requirements for Innovative Fintech Trials.

With the signing of the MoU and the implementation of the network link-up, the three authorities will continue to deepen fintech innovation co-operation. The network link-up will provide a one-stop platform to facilitate the pilot trials of cross-boundary fintech initiatives, and strengthen the synergy of fintech supervisory co-operation across the three regions.

Mr Eddie Yue, the Chief Executive of the HKMA, said, “We are very pleased to have, together with the PBoC, jointly invited the AMCM to join the one stop platform. This arrangement will provide a more friendly supervisory environment for cross-boundary fintech developments. The HKMA will continue to seize the opportunities in the GBA and work closely with the Mainland and Macao in promoting the further development of fintech innovation in the region.”

In October 2021, the HKMA and the PBoC signed the “Memorandum of Understanding on Fintech Innovation Supervisory Cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” to provide a one-stop platform for pilot trials of cross-boundary fintech initiatives in Hong Kong and Mainland GBA cities. The one-stop platform was subsequently launched in February 2022.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/09/P2023110800219.htm?fontSize=1.

Government announced major initiatives to foster co-development of fintech and real economy

The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) announced on 2 November 2023 a series of major initiatives for fintech development in Hong Kong in the Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023.  These initiatives aim at fostering co-development of fintech and the real economy, including launching a new Integrated Fund Platform (IFP); welcoming cross-boundary e-CNY applications to benefit inbound and outbound visitors between the Mainland and Hong Kong; and promoting real economy related applications and innovations by the Virtual Assets (VA) and Web3.0 sector, as well as further development of the regulatory framework.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "The Government has been committed to promoting fintech development in Hong Kong, with a view to enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong's financial services industry and the real economy, empowering financial institutions to accelerate digitalisation and product innovation, better serving the real economy, and providing members of the public with more convenient, less expensive, and inclusive financial services.  The various relevant policy measures promoted in recent years clearly demonstrate our firm support for the rapid and robust development of the fintech sector."

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, "To tie in with the theme 'Fintech Redefined.' of Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023, the FSTB further announced the comprehensive fintech initiatives this year to reflect our strategic views and visions for taking the market forward.  From launching a new IFP to welcoming e-CNY applications, and promoting real economy related applications and innovations by the VA and Web3.0 sector, these initiatives will contribute to the real economy and provide further impetus for growing our fintech ecosystem."

Launching a new IFP

The new IFP to be developed and operated by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), is a new financial infrastructure for the Hong Kong market.  The new IFP targets the retail fund sector, covering the front-to-back distribution life cycle and value chain, and is proposed to better serve investors, fund managers, distributors and other stakeholders within the ecosystem.  The integrated platform will serve the roles of a communication hub; a business platform; and an information portal for further strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international asset and wealth management centre.

Welcoming cross-boundary e-CNY applications to benefit inbound and outbound visitors between the Mainland and Hong Kong

FSTB is pleased to note that Octopus Cards Limited (OCL) and Bank of China (Hong Kong) (BOCHK) will seek to explore new e-CNY applications.  Earlier this year, OCL has partnered with Bank of China Shenzhen Branch to facilitate the purchase of e-CNY hard wallets by Hong Kong residents, via Self-service Card Issuing Machines in Lo Wu, Shenzhen using the Octopus mobile application.  Also, BOCHK has launched e-CNY services facilitating payment by inbound Mainland visitors to retail merchants with e-CNY wallets in Hong Kong, and offering Hong Kong customers with a convenient option to top up e-CNY wallets from their Hong Kong personal bank accounts.

As a next step, subject to regulatory approval and technical readiness, the FSTB welcomes OCL to provide an inbound solution facilitating Mainland tourists' use of e-CNY in Hong Kong through topping up Octopus Cards in tourist mobile application.

Promoting real economy related applications and innovations by the VA and Web3.0 sector, and further development of the regulatory framework

The Government encourages market participants to explore the potential of the underlying technologies of Web3.0 to empower and enable real economy related applications and innovations.  In this regard, a dedicated session was arranged in this year's FinTech Week for market participants to share their products and project ideas.

On the regulatory side, with regard to tokenisation, to enhance clarity for the market, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) will issue a circular on intermediaries engaging in tokenised securities-related activities and a circular on tokenisation of SFC-authorised investment products to shed light on the regulatory expectations from an investor protection perspective.  The Government also intends to expand the regulatory remit to cover the buying and selling of VAs beyond trades taking place on VA trading platforms.  As for the regulatory regime for stablecoin issuers, the FSTB and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) will issue a joint consultation on the legislative proposal for implementing the regime in due course.  On banks' provision of digital asset custodial services, the industry is being consulted on HKMA's guidance to ensure client assets are adequately safeguarded and that the risks involved are properly managed.

The presentation delivered by Mr Hui in the Main Conference of FinTech Week can be found in Annex I.  Details of the three major initiatives published by the FSTB on 6 November can be found in Annex II.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/02/P2023110200339.htm and https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/06/P2023110600300.htm.

Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023

The HKMA co-organised Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023 with the InvestHK on 2 November 2023.  The eighth edition of the city's flagship fintech event gave participants worldwide opportunities to build partnerships, exchange ideas and share their fintech journeys.

During the FinTech Week, the HKMA announced the following initiatives to strengthen Hong Kong's fintech capabilities:

FPS x PromptPay QR Payment: The HKMA is working closely with the Bank of Thailand to link Hong Kong's Faster Payment System (FPS) and Thailand's PromptPay, in a new service called "FPS x PromptPay QR Payment", scheduled for launch on 4 December.  Users will be able to scan and pay at over eight million PromptPay merchants in Thailand using their mobile phones.  Thai visitors to Hong Kong will also be able to use PromptPay to pay at any of the around 50 000 FPS merchants in Hong Kong who choose to accept FPS QR payments.  The new service will provide an additional safe and efficient payment channel, enhancing customer experience in retail payment and fostering economic development and entrepreneurial prospects in the two economies.
     
Tokenisation in the bond market: After the successful issuance of the world's first tokenised government green bond earlier this year, the HKMA is in discussions with market participants to explore further use cases for distributed ledger technology (DLT) in capital markets, including a second tokenised government green bond.  A report on the inaugural tokenised issuance was published in August as a blueprint for future similar issuances in Hong Kong.
    
e-HKD Pilot Programme: Working with the industry, the HKMA has completed Phase 1 of the e-HKD Pilot Programme and published an overall assessment of the pilots and the way forward on 30 October.   Phase 2 of the programme, which the HKMA intends to commence next year, will explore new use cases for an e-HKD and delve deeper into select pilots from Phase 1.

The "Fintech 2025" strategy (Note 1) unveiled in June 2021 has also made the following positive progress in driving Hong Kong’s fintech development:

All banks go fintech: Building on the results of the Tech Baseline Assessment announced last year, the HKMA continues to proactively encourage fintech adoption in the banking industry, and published a new Fintech Promotion Roadmap in August 2023.  The roadmap sets out the initiatives the HKMA will undertake over the next 12 months to promote the adoption of wealthtech, insurtech, greentech, artificial intelligence and DLT.  To further promote the development of Open API, the HKMA launched centralised datasets on physical branches and Automated Teller Machines of 20 retail banks in Hong Kong via Open API in September 2023 for public use.  In addition, the HKMA has been actively exploring the use of Suptech to enhance the effectiveness and forward-looking capability of its supervisory processes through the adoption of new technologies.  An end-to-end digital supervisory platform and a Robotic Process Automation solution have been launched.  Three initiatives under the AML Suptech strategy; Macro Analytics, a submission platform for financial-crime risk data, and a horizon scanning tool, have been implemented to safeguard the integrity of the banking system and reduce harm from financial crime.  A speech-to-text solution for use in supervision and enforcement work was also launched in October 2023.

Future-proofing Hong Kong for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Aside from the progress on the retail front, the HKMA has achieved a number of milestones in the phased development of wholesale CBDCs (Note 2).  Project mBridge is now at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development phase and the HKMA aims to launch the MVP next year to pave the way for a production-ready system.
    
Creating the next-generation data infrastructure: Commercial Data Interchange (CDI), the HKMA's next-generation financial data infrastructure promoting the development of a data-driven economy, is making great strides.  Since launch in October 2022, the number of CDI participating banks has reached 26, and key data providers have doubled from six to 12.  The CDI utilisation rate has also increased nearly ninefold to 8 900 data requests from close to 1 000 during the pilot phase, with estimated credit approvals exceeding HK$8 billion at the end of September 2023.  To maximise the benefits of CDI, the HKMA is exploring how it can be used to further digitalise and streamline various banking processes such as Know Your Customer and working closely with the Insurance Authority to enable cross-sectoral data sharing.  By the end of 2023, the Companies Registry will become the first government data source to be connected to CDI via the Government's Consented Data Exchange Gateway.

Expanding the fintech-savvy workforce: The HKMA works to foster fintech talent in Hong Kong through initiatives including the Fintech Career Accelerator Scheme and the Industry Project Masters Network.  Over 1 300 students have benefitted from these schemes so far.

Nurturing the ecosystem with funding and policies: The Fintech Supervisory Sandbox (FSS) 3.0 and FSS 3.1 Pilot offer funding support to fintech projects.  So far, six projects providing solutions for Chinese-character name screening for AML, regtech and risk management have been approved.  To facilitate the sustainable and responsible development of the virtual asset (VA) sector in Hong Kong, the HKMA has been moving forward with full steam in formulating the regulatory regime for stablecoin issuers, and will release a public consultation paper inviting feedback on the proposed regulatory approach and parameters.  In addition, the HKMA and the Securities and Futures Commission have jointly issued updated guidance on intermediaries' VA-related activities, and the HKMA is consulting the industry on guidance on other digital asset-related activities conducted by banks with a view to providing protection for consumers.

The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "This year's edition of the Hong Kong FinTech Week marks 30 years since the establishment of the HKMA.  It comes at a time of rapid innovation, with new ideas and opportunities redefining the fintech world.  It is essential for our financial services sector to adapt to these changes so that we can continue to be at the forefront of development and achieve the vision set out in the 'Fintech 2025' strategy."

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/02/P2023110200180.htm.

Note 1: The strategy aims to encourage the financial sector to adopt technology comprehensively by 2025, as well as to promote the provision of fair and efficient financial services for the benefit of Hong Kong citizens and the economy.

Note 2: A brochure highlighting the key achievements and future roadmap of Project mBridge was published in October 2023: www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-functions/financial-infrastructure/mBridge_publication.pdf

Hong Kong and Guangdong launched Cross-boundary Public Services

In his Policy Address this year, the Chief Executive has proposed to advance the development of digital government, and collaborate with Guangdong Province to promote the Cross-boundary Public Services initiative.  The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and Deputy Secretary General of the People's Government of Guangdong Province Mr Xu Dianhui co-chaired the ceremony for promulgation of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Cross-boundary Public Services Co-operation Achievements on 2 November 2023.  The ceremony also announced the simultaneous launch of the Cross-boundary Public Services service area/thematic website of Guangdong and Hong Kong, which will enable residents and enterprises in Hong Kong and Mainland cities of the GBA to access public services of the two places online anytime without the need for cross-boundary travel in person.

Professor Sun said, "With the development of digital government and smart cities, Hong Kong and Guangdong have started a new chapter of co-operation in the provision of government services.  After more than two years of close co-ordination, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government have overcome the challenges brought by the epidemic and realised the bilateral connection of public services between the two places.  The governments of both places will uphold the spirit of 'facilitating the public and enterprises' and continue to enhance the implementation of the Cross-boundary Public Services initiative, so as to give impetus to the socio-economic development of Hong Kong and Guangdong, and to make new and greater contributions to the GBA as well as the building of a digital government platform for the country."

During the ceremony, Professor Sun and Mr Xu witnessed the signing of the "Co-operation Agreement between Guangdong and the HKSAR on Cross-boundary Public Services" by the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, and member of the Leading Party Group of the Guangdong Provincial Administration of Government Service and Data Mr Wei Wentao, to deepen the co-operation in government services between the two places.

Officiating guests at ceremony on 2 November also included the Director-General of the Guangdong Provincial Administration of Government Service and Data, Mr Yang Pengfei; the Director-General of Information Centre of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Dr Hao Yinxing; the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Tony Wong; and the Commissioner for Efficiency, Miss Patricia So.

With the launch of the first batch of more than 50 Cross-boundary Public Services in each of the two places, Hong Kong residents or Mainland residents living in Hong Kong can use the public services in the nine Mainland cities in the GBA, covering areas such as admission of talent, employment and business start-up, elderly services, tax declaration and business operation, etc.  The HKSAR Government has also consolidated the public services of nine government bureaux/departments in areas such as taxation, company registration, property and vehicle enquiry and registration, personal identification documents, and application for entry of talents, welfare, education, medical and health services, etc, for use by Mainland residents or Hong Kong residents living in Guangdong.  The types of services and related information are listed on the thematic website (crossboundaryservices.gov.hk), which also provides a link to Guangdong's Cross-boundary Public Services service area.

Apart from setting up dedicated service area/thematic website for Cross-boundary Public Services, the governments of the HKSAR and Guangdong have also introduced other Cross-boundary Public Services facilitation measures, including:

• Through the connection between iAM Smart and the Unified Identity Authentication Platform of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong residents can log in directly to the Guangdong Provincial Administrative Service website and the "Yue Sheng Shi" mobile app through iAM Smart to enjoy a wide range of Guangdong's public services in a more convenient and efficient manner;
• Set up iAM Smart registration service counters in Guangzhou and Shenzhen Qianhai to help Hong Kong citizens residing or working on the Mainland to register for iAM Smart;
• Set up Cross-boundary Public Services kiosks in Hong Kong to facilitate public access to Guangdong's public services.

Moreover, the HKSAR Government also plans to roll out the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks in Guangzhou by the first quarter of 2024, and gradually cover the nine Mainland cities in the GBA, so as to further enable the public there to access Hong Kong's public services.

In order to implement the State Council's Guiding Opinions to all provincial governments on Cross-provincial Public Services and their comprehensive deployment, the HKSAR Government accepted the invitation of the People's Government of Guangdong Province in 2021 to jointly launch the GBA Cross-boundary Public Services, so as to enable enterprises and the public in both regions to enjoy simple and convenient cross-boundary services, with a view to facilitating the provision of public services and investment in the GBA, and enhancing the satisfaction and sense of contentment of enterprises and the public in accessing services across the boundary.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/02/P2023110200372.htm.

TID, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee and Shenzhen Liaison Unit of HKSAR Government visited Shenzhen

The TID, the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee (SMEC) and the Shenzhen Liaison Unit of the HKSAR Government led a delegation to Shenzhen on 1 November 2023 to help Hong Kong SMEs and members of the industrial and commercial sectors learn about the latest development in the GBA, especially in Qianhai.

The delegation was received by officials of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality, and had an exchange session with representatives of Hong Kong enterprises and young entrepreneurs who have commenced businesses in Qianhai to learn about the development strategies, related policies and business environment in Qianhai.

The delegation visited SmartMore Corporation Limited, which was founded by a Hong Kong entrepreneur.  Accompanied by an official of the United Front Work Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, the delegation also visited CMGE Technology Group Limited.  The above visits allowed the delegation to understand the operation and development of local enterprises engaged in advanced technology and creative industries.

The delegation also visited the HKTDC GBA Support Centre in Shenzhen to understand the support services provided by HKTDC to assist Hong Kong enterprises in developing business in the GBA, and met with Hong Kong young entrepreneurs who have successfully launched their businesses in the GBA.

The delegation was led by the SMEC Chairman, Mr Michael Hui and the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Ms Maggie Wong; and accompanied by representatives of the Shenzhen Liaison Unit.  The delegation comprises around 60 participants, including members of the SMEC, Programme Management Committee of the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales, Vetting Committee of the Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund and the Customer Liaison Group for SMEs under the TID; as well as representatives of Hong Kong's major trade and industrial organisations and SME associations.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/01/P2023110100675.htm.

Immigration Department reminds public that special arrangement for applications for extension of stay due to pandemic will be discontinued on 1 January 2024

The Immigration Department (ImmD) reminded the public that the special arrangement under the pandemic for Hong Kong non-permanent residents outside Hong Kong to apply for an extension of stay will be discontinued on 1 January 2024.  In other words, for extension of stay applications reaching the ImmD on or after 1 January 2024, the applicants are required to be physically present in Hong Kong, namely both at the time of application and at the time of collection of the "e-Visa" for the extension of stay.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ImmD allows Hong Kong non-permanent residents who are outside Hong Kong and are unable to return to Hong Kong in time to apply for an extension of stay.  Such a special arrangement has been in place since 8 April 2022.  Taking into account that society has resumed normalcy in full, and the steady recovery of cross-boundary and international travel, the ImmD announced on 29 June 2023, the discontinuation of the abovementioned special arrangement on 1 January 2024 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202306/29/P2023062900637.htm), so as to allow ample time for eligible non-permanent residents who intend to apply for an extension of stay to make suitable arrangements.

Under the special arrangement which is to be discontinued, eligible non-permanent residents who are admitted into Hong Kong under the following immigration policies/schemes and whose limit of stay is about to expire (generally within four weeks) but are presently outside Hong Kong may apply for an extension of stay:

1. General Employment Policy (including both employment and investment as entrepreneurs);
2. Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals;
3. Quality Migrant Admission Scheme;
4. Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates;
5. Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents;
6. Technology Talent Admission Scheme;
7. Capital Investment Entrant Scheme;
8. residence as dependants; and
9. students enrolled in full-time study programmes.

Non-permanent residents are reminded that the approval of an extension of stay does not constitute any implication or acknowledgement from the ImmD that they can fulfil the ordinary residence requirement under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) for acquiring the right of abode.  Even if their applications for an extension of stay are approved, whether they can fulfil the seven-year continuous ordinary residence requirement for acquiring the right of abode in Hong Kong will have to be assessed by the ImmD at the time when they apply for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card.  The said special arrangement is set out on www.immd.gov.hk/eng/ext/npr.html.

For enquiries, please call the ImmD enquiry hotline 2824 6111, or send enquiries to the ImmD by fax at 2877 7711 or by email at enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202311/01/P2023110100338.htm.

SCED updated representatives of consulates and chambers of commerce on investment promotion work

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, hosted a reception for some 150 representatives of consulates and local and foreign chambers of commerce to update them on the Government's work on investment promotion on 31 October 2023.

Mr Yau also announced the signing of the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPA) between Hong Kong and Türkiye earlier on 31 October.  The Agreement is the first IPPA signed by the current-term Government and the 23rd IPPA that Hong Kong has signed, bringing the IPPA coverage to a total of 32 trading partners.

Speaking at the reception, Mr Yau said that Hong Kong is renowned as a robust free-market economy and welcomes foreign direct investment from all over the world, while the level playing field and free market mechanism will continue as guaranteed under the Basic Law.

He stressed that it is a priority of the current-term Government to attract enterprises and investments, and updated the guests on the latest developments of investment promotion.  Among them, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) has assisted 300 companies from various sectors around the globe to set up or expand businesses in Hong Kong in the first nine months of this year, an increase of 27 per cent compared to the same period last year, surpassing the KPI announced in the 2022 Policy Address on a pro-rata basis.  He expressed appreciation to all the stakeholders for their support, and said that InvestHK would stand ready to continue offering one-stop customised support services to enterprises via its investment promotion network across the world.

Mr Yau added that Hong Kong is also committed to enhancing protection and guarantees for foreign direct investment, and has been making relentless efforts in expanding the network of IPPAs.

"The signing of the IPPA between Hong Kong and Türkiye on 31 October sends a very positive signal to the investment community that Hong Kong and Türkiye are committed to enhancing protection and guarantees for foreign direct investment," he said.

The Agreement, which will enter into force after the fulfilment of relevant internal requirements by both sides, will enhance the confidence of investors and expand investment flows between Hong Kong and Türkiye.

Following the signing of the Hong Kong-Türkiye IPPA on 31 October, the geographical scope of the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales is also extended to cover Türkiye, as the 38th eligible economy, with immediate effect to further support Hong Kong enterprises in developing their businesses there.

Stressing the Government's long-standing commitments and dedicated efforts in strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties by forging IPPAs with other economies, Mr Yau highlighted the commencement of IPPA negotiations with Bangladesh and the ongoing IPPA negotiations with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Mr Yau also took the opportunity to brief the guests on initiatives related to commerce and trade in "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address".  Among them, InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will set up more consultant offices along the Belt and Road to strengthen efforts on investment and trade promotion.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202310/31/P2023103100544.htm.

Government promulgated Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development

The Government promulgated the Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development on 31 October 2023 to formulate strategies and action measures to meet the short, medium and long-term development needs of the logistics sector, with a view to promoting the sustainable and high-quality development of Hong Kong's logistics industry.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, "Hong Kong has long been a premier logistics hub in Asia.  Our goal is to promote high-quality development of our logistics industry by realising smart development, modernisation, green sustainability, internationalisation and facilitation, thereby developing Hong Kong into a sustainable, international and smart logistics hub focusing on high-value goods and the e-commerce market, and capitalising on the tremendous opportunities brought by the rapid development of our country and the region."

"The Action Plan is a major document formulated by the HKSAR Government for the development of modern logistics, leading the future development of the logistics industry in Hong Kong.  We will, with the support of the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (LOGSCOUNCIL), work with relevant stakeholders to implement the strategies and action measures formulated in the Action Plan in phases.  To ensure that the strategies can keep abreast of the development in the industry, we will also continue to review the implementation progress of the relevant strategies and their effectiveness," Mr Lam continued.

The Central Government has clearly affirmed Hong Kong's positioning as an international aviation hub and international shipping centre in the National 14th Five-Year Plan and indicated clear support for the development of high-value air cargo logistics and high value-added maritime services in Hong Kong in the Outline Development Plan for the GBA, so as to leverage Hong Kong's strength as a regional logistics hub.  The Action Plan formulated eight strategies and 24 action measures to consolidate and promote Hong Kong's position as an international logistics hub.  The relevant strategies and action measures are listed in the Annex.

LOGSCOUNCIL held a meeting on 31 October and members welcomed the action measures set out in the Action Plan.  The Transport and Logistics Bureau has consulted the Panel on Economic Development of the Legislative Council, LOGSCOUNCIL and various stakeholders of the logistics industry to refine the logistics development strategies when formulating the Action Plan.  The Transport and Logistics Bureau expressed its deep appreciation to the Panel on Economic Development of the Legislative Council, LOGSCOUNCIL and various stakeholders for their valuable views.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202310/31/P2023103100299.htm.

Visa-free access to Georgia for HKSAR passport holders

The HKSAR Government has received notification from the Government of Georgia that HKSAR passport holders may visit Georgia visa-free for a stay of up to 30 days.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Georgia is along the Belt and Road.  Under the Belt and Road Initiative, this visa-free arrangement will bring travel convenience to holders of HKSAR passports and strengthen the tourism, cultural and economic ties between the two places."

As of 31 October 2023, 169 countries and territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders.  Please visit the following website for details: www.immd.gov.hk/eng/service/travel_document/visa_free_access.html or scan the QR code in the attachment.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202310/31/P2023103100461.htm.