SUCCESS
E-newsletter
30 April 2025
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The Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) run by the Trade and Industry Department (TID) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the HKSARG) provides small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with free business information and consultation services.
Our website: https://www.success.tid.gov.hk/en_landing.html
Our email: success@tid.gov.hk
Our customer hotline:（852）2398 5133
(Service hours of hotline and counters: Monday to Friday 8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m., other than public holidays)
 More Details
"Four-in-One" Integrated Services of SME Centres
To strengthen support for SMEs and to raise SMEs' awareness of the various funding schemes and support services, the TID consolidated the services of the existing four SME centres, namely, the "SUCCESS" under the TID, the "SME Centre" under the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the "SME One" under the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the "TecONE" under the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in October 2019 to provide one-stop "Four-in-One" integrated services for SMEs. Enterprises can obtain business information, funding schemes information and advisory services, etc. at any of the centres. In addition, a web portal called "SME Link" is also established for SMEs to access information and support services provided by the four SME centres and government departments from a single online platform.
The Government provides over 70 funding schemes with different funding scopes, amounts and requirements to promote and support the development of enterprises and industries in Hong Kong. The "Government Funding Schemes" web page of the SME Link features information on these 70+ funding schemes, including overview and useful hyperlinks. The web page's search tool supports multiple search filters to facilitate enterprises identifying suitable funding schemes.
The "Events & Activities" of the SME Link facilitates enterprises to obtain information on activities organised by the four SME centres and various government departments, including seminars, workshops, exhibitions, conferences, training courses, etc., from a single platform, and also provides relevant links to facilitate registration.
What's New
“Four-in-One” Seminar Series
The four SME centres co-organise "Four-in-One" seminar series regularly. Themes of this seminar series in the first half of 2025 are "E-commerce", "Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)" and "Branding". Upcoming seminar and webinars under this series are listed below. Interested persons are welcome to register at the links shown therein. Admission is Free.
I. “SME LevelUp Workshop” – Embracing Innovation in e-Commerce Strategies Series
(Webinar (1) will be live-streamed on 30 April 2025)
(Webinar (2) will be live-streamed on 23 May 2025)
(Webinar (3) will be live-streamed on 27 June 2025)
This series of “SME LevelUp Workshop” held by the SME One of the HKPC will focus on Xiaohongshu, Douyin, Taobao and JD.com, and reveal the “traffic code” strategies of these e-commerce platforms, as well as share cross-border sales techniques, with a view to assisting SMEs in expanding their e-commerce sales networks, attracting customers and monetising efficiently.
(1) "Xiaohongshu Traffic Code" (webinar) will share tips on how to effectively leverage the Xiaohongshu platform, as well as introduce the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) content creation and creative strategies for boosting traffics.
(2) "Douyin Short Video Algorithm Strategy" (webinar) will analyse short video algorithm and content customisation strategies of the Douyin platform, as well as explore efficient techniques for retaining viewers during live streaming.
(3) "The Power of Cross-Border Livestreaming to New Heights of Success" (webinar) will explore marketing strategy on Taobao and JD.com e-commerce platforms and tips for cross-border live streaming, as well as explain how to collaborate with key opinion leader (KOL).
This series of webinars will be conducted in Cantonese.
More Details and Registration
II. What SMEs Need to Know about ESG (Seminar)
(This seminar will be held at Trade and Industry Tower on 7 May 2025)
This seminar is held by the “SUCCESS” of the TID. In this seminar, an expert will introduce the concept of ESG and explain its implications for Hong Kong SMEs, as well as how SMEs, as suppliers, can help their listed company customers implement ESG and benefit from it themselves, with a view to assisting SMEs in understanding the importance of ESG in their business operations. (This seminar will be conducted in Cantonese.)
More Details and Registration
SUCCESS-supported Activities
I. Cyber Attack and Defence Elite Training cum Tournament 2025
This event is co-organised by the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC), Digital Policy Office (DPO) and the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) of the Hong Kong Police Force. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This event provides academic and industry elites with a series of free training in cyber attack and defence and opportunities to simulate actual combat through simulated cyber attack competitions, aiming to cultivate a new generation of cyber attack and defence experts and enhance the cyber security level in Hong Kong. The event is now open for application until 13 June 2025.
More Details and Registration (in Chinese Only)
II. Cyber Security Staff Awareness Recognition Scheme
This scheme is co-organised by the HKIRC and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) China Hong Kong Chapter, with the DPO, the CSTCB of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong as Scheme Partners. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This scheme aims to recognise Hong Kong organisations for their commitment to strengthening cyber security and enhancing staff awareness. The upcoming round of the scheme for 2025 is now open for application until 15 August 2025.
More Details and Registration
III. "HKIRC Cybersec One" Programme
This programme is organised by the HKIRC, with the DPO and the CSTCB of the Hong Kong Police Force as strategic partners. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations. This programme provides participating organizations with integrated cybersecurity services free of charge, including risk assessments, vulnerability identification, and staff training, to help them embark on their “cybersecurity journey” and strengthen their capability on cybersecurity defence. Local primary and secondary schools, non-governmental organisations and SMEs are welcome to register. The programme is open for application all year round.
More Details (in Chinese Only) and 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
HKMA and Cyberport launch second cohort of GenA.I. Sandbox to accelerate AI innovation in financial sector
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport), announced on 28 April 2025 the launch of the second cohort of the Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenA.I.) Sandbox initiative. The GenA.I. Sandbox aims to provide a risk-controlled environment for banks to develop and test innovative solutions using AI, further advancing the adoption of AI technology in the financial sector.
Following the positive responses received in the inaugural cohort started in January 2025, the second cohort will continue to focus on use cases that further enhance risk management, anti-fraud measures and customer experience.
As a step forward, a key addition to the second cohort is the introduction of the GenA.I. Sandbox Collaboratory (Collaboratory), a platform comprising a series of practical workshops that facilitates early engagements between banks and technology providers. These workshops are designed to drive the conversion of problem statements into practical use cases, which can then be trialled in the GenA.I. Sandbox. Specifically, in response to the growing threat of deepfake scams, a dedicated Collaboratory workshop on combatting deepfake attacks with AI will be held in the coming weeks, convening subject matter experts from tech firms, digital banks as well as small and medium-sized banks, to share actionable solutions and innovative detection tools.
Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Arthur Yuen said, "The launch of the second cohort of the GenA.I. Sandbox underscores our commitment to advancing responsible innovation in GenA.I. across the banking industry. Moving beyond validating use cases, this cohort also aims to examine the possibilities of 'AI versus AI'. Banks are encouraged to explore integrating AI into their second and third lines of defence for risk management, addressing the risks and challenges emerging from AI advancements while reaping the benefits."
The launch was announced during the fifth edition of the FiNETech series (FiNETech5), which convened over 150 AI practitioners from the banking and technology sectors. The FiNETech event provided a platform for sharing initial insights from first cohort participants and expert perspectives on the latest GenA.I. developments, and inspired interested banks and technology providers about potential exploration of responsible innovation by participating in the second cohort of the GenA.I. Sandbox.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/28/P2025042800361.htm.
HKMA establishes Expert Panel on Project CargoX to support digital trade finance ecosystem
The HKMA announced on 28 April 2025 the establishment of an Expert Panel on Project CargoX (the Expert Panel) to enhance the digital ecosystem for trade finance by harnessing the power of cargo data.
Riding on the HKMA's Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) (Note), Project CargoX is a multi-year, public-private collaboration, focusing on three key areas:
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leveraging cargo data to streamline and enhance trade finance processes;
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developing digital solutions to improve accessibility to trade finance for SMEs; and
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exploring connections with international data partners to facilitate the trade financing use case for banks in Hong Kong.
To achieve these objectives, the HKMA has established an Expert Panel comprising industry experts and key stakeholders from cargo data providers, trade associations, banks, credit reference agencies and government agencies. The Expert Panel will formulate a roadmap for digitising cargo data (encompassing sea, road and air transportation data), and integrating relevant cargo data sources across jurisdictions with CDI, by the end of 2025. A list of the Expert Panel members can be found in the Annex.
With the guidance and recommendation from the Expert Panel, the HKMA will conduct proof-of-concept (PoC) studies and develop new solutions with strategic partners such as the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) as well as pilot banks to improve digital trade finance through the use of cargo data and CDI in 2025 and 2026.
The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "In today's complex global trade landscape, many businesses, in particular SME traders, need more digitalised and efficient trade finance solutions to transform their business models and supply chains. By uniting a diverse group of experts from public and private sectors, the Expert Panel will play a pivotal role in driving the advancement of our digital trade finance ecosystem, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a premier trade finance hub and fostering the growth of SMEs. Leveraging cargo data and our next-generation CDI data infrastructure, CargoX will help resolve some long-standing pain points in trade finance for banks, ultimately boosting efficiency and driving industry-wide innovation."
The Commissioner for Maritime and Port Development of the TLB, Miss Amy Chan, said, "The Transport and Logistics Bureau is developing the Port Community System for completion by end of this year (2025) to provide cargo track-and-trace across sea, road, and air transport, which is expected to lead the maritime, port, logistics and trading industries to new heights of digitalisation. The Port Community System makes use of blockchain technology to record cargo flows, hence ensuring the integrity and reliability of cargo flow information. We look forward to working with the Expert Panel and strategic partners to unlock the enormous potential of the Port Community System in facilitating trade finance, supporting SMEs, and strengthening Hong Kong's position as a global maritime hub."
Executive Director, Commercial of the AAHK, Ms Cissy Chan, said, "The AAHK is committed to driving innovation and digitalisation in the air cargo industry. Since launching the HKIA Cargo Data Platform in 2021, we have been working with a vast range of ecosystem partners in enabling efficient information and cargo flow via Hong Kong International Airport. The successful use case co-created with the HKMA's CDI further synergises the capital flow and exemplifies the benefits on trade financing leveraging cargo data and cross-industry ecosystem collaboration. We welcome the HKMA's effort to continue this momentum through CargoX initiative and look forward to working with like-minded organisations to continue contributing to the development of Hong Kong's digital trade finance ecosystem."
Note: Launched by the HKMA in October 2022, CDI is a consent-based financial data infrastructure that aims to enhance data sharing by facilitating financial institutions' retrieval of enterprises' commercial data, in particular the data of SMEs, from both public and private data providers.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/28/P2025042800304.htm.
Hong Kong's Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with Bahrain in force
Hong Kong's Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) with Bahrain signed in March 2024 came into force on 4 March 2025, after completion of relevant ratification procedures. The CDTA will be applicable to Hong Kong tax for any year of assessment beginning on or after 1 April 2026.
"Under the CDTA, companies and residents of Hong Kong and Bahrain will not have to pay tax twice on a single source of income. The CDTA will allow them to have certainty on tax liabilities and save tax when they engage in cross-border business activities, thus helping to promote bilateral trade and investment. To date, Hong Kong has signed CDTAs with 51 tax jurisdictions," a Government spokesman said.
The CDTA is available on the Hong Kong e-Legislation website.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/28/P2025042800485.htm.
InvestHK unveils application details for Global Fast Track 2025 (deadline: 21 September 2025)
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that the eighth edition of the Global Fast Track (GFT) 2025 is now open for applications until 21 September 2025. This year, the programme will be expanded to include other verticals in addition to fintech, unleashing business opportunities for more technology companies in Hong Kong and worldwide. The year-long hybrid programme provides participants with one-on-one meetings, live pitching opportunities, mentorship, and tailored business matching with corporate clients, investors and service providers. A separate competition track will select semi-finalists from each vertical to pitch in person during the Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 in November, with the grand finale taking place at the main conference. Shortlisted companies will also have access to exclusive networking events during the week for potential partnerships.
Explore the Seven Expanded Global Fast Track Verticals
The GFT 2025 includes seven key verticals, covering a broader range of categories than ever before:
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FinTech;
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Artificial Intelligence;
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GreenTech;
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Blockchain & Digital Assets;
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InsurTech & HealthTech;
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Innovation & Technology; and
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Mainland China Track (in Putonghua).
Glimpse of GFT 2025 Featured Partners
HKSTP Global Connect
For the GFT 2025, InvestHK is once again partnering with the HKSTP's Global Connect Programme to support start-ups in expanding their presence in Hong Kong. The programme offers a comprehensive soft-landing package, including:
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Financial grants of up to HK$100,000;
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Access to co-working space;
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Investment and business matching;
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1-on-1 consultations for setting up businesses in Hong Kong; and
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Training and networking.
Accenture FinTech Innovation Lab Asia-Pacific
Established by Accenture in collaboration with Cyberport, the FinTech Innovation Lab Asia-Pacific (FILAP) bridges growth-stage fintech start-ups with senior executives from world-leading financial institutions. Since its launch, FILAP alumni have collectively raised over US$1.1 billion in funding and developed 552 Proof of Concepts across nearly 90 companies. Through the GFT 2025, applicants will have the opportunity to fast-track to FILAP 2026 Interview Day, providing access to expert mentorship and exclusive connections to global financial leaders.
The GFT 2025 is an unparalleled opportunity for qualified innovators to showcase their profile in front of thousands of attendees and key corporates and investors looking for solutions and investment opportunities. Previous finalists have come from around the world, including Canada, France, Israel, Mainland China, Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
For details of the entire programme of the GFT 2025 and the application process, please visit here.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/28/P2025042500442.htm.
HKSARG sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk and "iAM Smart" self-registration kiosk in Zhongshan
To advance the development of a digital government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is collaborating with Guangdong Province to promote the Cross-boundary Public Services initiative. The DPO announced on 25 April 2025 the setting up of a Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk in Zhongshan to enable residents and enterprises in Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to access public services of Hong Kong without the need to travel to Hong Kong in person.
Starting from 25 April, the public can use the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk located on 1/F, Zhongshan Government Service Center to access various public services of Hong Kong. The opening hours of the kiosk in the Center are 9am to noon and 1.30pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays on the Mainland). For details, please visit the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services thematic website at www.crossboundaryservices.gov.hk/en/home/index.html.
Following the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks that commenced operation earlier in Guangzhou, Qianhai and Futian in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan and Huizhou as well as Dongguan, the Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk in Zhongshan also provides over 70 public services from 12 government bureaux and departments as well as related organisations, encompassing eight areas commonly used by enterprises and the public, including taxation, company registration, property and vehicle enquiry and registration, application for personal identification documents and entry of talent, welfare and education, healthcare, immigration clearance, urgent assistance as well as culture and tourism. Members of the public can use the self-service kiosks to perform data entry, document scanning and result printing to enjoy one-stop access when applying for various public services.
An "iAM Smart" self-registration kiosk is also set up at the Zhongshan location to enable Hong Kong residents working and living on the Mainland to register for "iAM Smart+" and directly use the "iAM Smart" mobile app for one-stop public services, covering more than 400 Hong Kong public services, such as renewal of a vehicle licence, enrolment for the Contactless e-Channel, and application for student grant. For details and registration requirements, please visit the "iAM Smart" thematic website at www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/25/P2025042500411.htm.
Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
The Government published the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Gazette on 25 April 2025 to make amendments to the existing legislation for the implementation of the new phase of tobacco control measures. The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for first and second readings on 30 April.
The Health Bureau (HHB) announced the overall tobacco control strategy in June 2024, setting out the directions under the strategy and short, medium and long-term measures to reduce the social hazards posed by smoking products and safeguard public health. These measures are formulated around four directions under the tobacco control strategy, namely, Regulate Supply, Suppress Demand: reducing the demand for and supply of smoking products; Ban Promotion, Reduce Attractiveness: minimising the attractiveness of smoking products; Expand No Smoking Areas, Mitigate Harm: protecting the public from the hazard of second-hand smoke; and Enhance education, Support Cessation: strengthening the provision of smoking cessation services, with a view to taking forward the tobacco control process in a multipronged and progressive approach. Among the 10 short-term tobacco control measures announced, eight of them require legislative amendments.
The Bill seeks to amend Ordinances including the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) and the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance (Cap. 600) to provide a legal basis for the implementation of the eight short-term measures as follows:
(1) Implement a duty stamp system for cigarettes
(2) Increase penalties for duty-not-paid tobacco
(3) Prohibit the possession of alternative smoking products (ASPs)
(4) Implement plain packaging requirement
(5) Prohibit smoking while queuing
(6) Extend statutory No Smoking Areas
(7) Prohibit the provision of smoking products to persons aged below 18
(8) Ban flavoured conventional smoking products
The other two short-term measures, namely "continuously reviewing the effectiveness of increasing tobacco duty and the pace of future adjustments" and "strengthening smoking cessation services as well as publicity and education", are ongoing and do not involve legislative amendments.
A spokesman for the HHB said, "The Government is committed to further reducing Hong Kong's smoking prevalence and mitigating the impact of second-hand smoke on the public through various measures in a progressive manner, thereby safeguarding public health. To further alleviate the threat posed by tobacco to public health, the Government needs to put in place more proactive measures to curb tobacco use and minimise its harmful effects on society. After factors such as the effectiveness, practicability and public receptiveness of these measures were weighed, the HHB put forward these measures last year (2024) and has further refined the details of the proposed legislative amendments after considering the views of various stakeholders in the community."
According to figures of the Census and Statistics Department, the proportion of persons aged 15 and above with a daily smoking habit of conventional cigarettes in Hong Kong was 9.1 per cent in 2023, meaning there are still about 580 000 people in Hong Kong who are daily smokers of conventional cigarettes.
A spokesman for the HHB said, "The various smoking-induced diseases among smokers will pose a heavy burden on the healthcare system and society as a whole. A local study revealed that the economic loss resulting from tobacco-induced health problems in 2021 was estimated to be about $8.2 billion per year in Hong Kong. The Government will fully work with the LegCo to scrutinise the Bill, with a view to seeking the LegCo's support and passage of the Bill, thereby building a legal framework to curb smoking hazards and stepping towards a 'tobacco-free Hong Kong' through concerted efforts."
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/25/P2025042500788.htm.
Legislative proposal to regulate konjac-containing jelly confectionery
A spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said on 24 April 2025 that the CFS, after reviewing the potential choking risks associated with the consumption of mini-cup konjac-containing jelly confectionery products, the regulatory practices of major economies concerning such products, and conducting a risk assessment, proposes amendments to the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) to strengthen regulation of konjac-containing jelly confectionery.
Proposed amendments include –
(i) If a mini-cup jelly confectionery product is with a height or width of 45 millimetres or less, it shall not contain konjac; and
(ii) To require all prepackaged konjac-containing jelly confectionery products to be labelled with a warning statement on prevention of choking hazard in both English and Chinese: "Caution: Do not swallow whole. Elderly and children must consume under supervision."
The spokesman said, "While the Codex Alimentarius Commission considers konjac a safe food additive, improper consumption of mini-cup konjac jellies can increase the choking risk, particularly for children and elderly people, due to their unique product design and firm texture. The Government has been promoting health education messages on prevention of food choking through various channels, including advice on avoiding direct consumption of mini-cup konjac-containing jelly confectionery products."
The CFS has consulted the Expert Committee on Food Safety regarding the proposed amendments and engaged the trade through a trade meeting and a Trade Consultation Forum. The Government initially proposes that amendments to ban the sale of mini-cup konjac-containing jelly confectionery products with a height or width of 45mm or less will take effect six months after passage of the amended Regulations, while the labelling requirements for all konjac-containing jelly confectionery products will come into operation 12 months after passage of the amended Regulations.
Additionally, the CFS, in collaboration with the Education Bureau, has issued a letter to schools recommending that they cease selling or providing mini-cup konjac-containing jelly confectionery products with a height or width of 45mm or less in places such as tuck shops and canteens.
The CFS has established a dedicated webpage with the regulatory proposal uploaded. Members of the public and the trade are welcome to offer their views on or before 8 June.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/24/P2025042400541.htm.
Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025 is open for enrolment until 14 July 2025
The Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA) 2025 is now open for enrolment. Entries of locally developed information and communications technology (ICT) products and solutions are invited to compete for the Grand Awards in the eight award categories and the top accolade of the competition - the Award of the Year. Enrolment is free of charge and the deadline is 14 July 2025.
The HKICTA 2025 is organised by the DPO with each award category to be led by a local industry association or professional body. The award categories and respective leading organisers are listed below:
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Award categories |
Leading organisers |
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Digital Entertainment Award |
Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association |
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FinTech Award |
Institute of Financial Technologists of Asia |
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ICT Startup Award |
Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association |
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Smart Business Award |
Hong Kong Computer Society |
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Smart Living Award |
Hong Kong Information Technology Federation |
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Smart Mobility Award |
GS1 Hong Kong |
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Smart People Award |
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service |
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Student Innovation Award |
Hong Kong Education City |
A Grand Award will be granted in each category, and the Award of the Year will be selected by a Grand Judging Panel from the eight Grand Awardees.
In a bid to foster the innovative use of AI, the Best Use of AI award winner will be selected in each of the eight categories to magnify and honour outstanding achievements in harnessing the power of AI in respective areas.
Established in 2006, the HKICTA is an annual signature event of the local ICT industry which aims to recognise and promote outstanding ICT inventions and applications, thereby encouraging the pursuit of innovation and excellence among Hong Kong's ICT professionals and enterprises to develop innovative applications meeting business and social needs, use innovation and technology (I&T) to bring benefits to the community, and foster Hong Kong's I&T and smart city development. Through concerted efforts of the ICT sector, academia and the Government, the HKICTA has always been highly regarded by the information technology industry, and the winners may also be nominated to compete in other regional and international competitions on behalf of Hong Kong and be sponsored to participate in overseas I&T exhibitions. The award acts as an encouragement and recognition to the winners, and enables their access to both Mainland and overseas markets.
Details of the HKICTA are available on the thematic website (www.hkictawards.hk). Enquiries can be made to the DPO at 3974 5224 or by emailing hkictawards@digitalpolicy.gov.hk.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/22/P2025041700394.htm.
31 May 2025 deadline for lodging proposals to object to rateable values
The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) reminded members of the public on 17 April 2025 that proposals objecting to the new rateable values effective from 1 April 2025 must be lodged by 31 May.
The new rateable values can be viewed on the RVD's Property Information Online website by 31 May.
A member of the public can lodge a proposal through the following channels without the need to engage an agent:
(1) submit an electronic form (Form e-R20A) on the RVD's website; or
(2) submit a completed Form R20A to the RVD in person or by post. Form R20A is available on the RVD's website, at the RVD's office or the Home Affairs Department's Home Affairs Enquiry Centres.
Proposals received after 31 May or submitted by other means will not be accepted.
A spokesman for the RVD said, "The RVD will review all proposals carefully in accordance with the relevant ordinances. Whether or not a proposal is lodged through an agent has no bearing on the review."
Rates and Government rent must be paid by the last day for payment shown on the demands, whether or not a proposal has been lodged. Proposers will be informed of the RVD's decisions before 1 December. Any changes in rateable values resulting from such decisions will date back to 1 April 2025, and adjustments will be made in subsequent demands.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/17/P2025041700392.htm.
Housing Authority announces Well Being·Start-Up 2.0 Programme to further support youth entrepreneurship
The Hong Kong Housing Authority announced on 17 April 2025 the Well Being·Start-Up 2.0 Programme, providing further support to youth entrepreneurship by extending the coverage of the programme with the introduction of public-private partnership.
For Programme details, please refer to the relevant press release https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/17/P2025041600605.htm.
Hong Kong updates methodology for compiling greenhouse gas emission inventory and releases emission inventory for 2023
The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) announced on 17 April 2025 that Hong Kong has updated its methodology for compiling the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventory in accordance with the requirement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and, at the same time, released the 2023 GHG emission inventory.
Since 2013, the HKSARG has been compiling its GHG emission inventory based on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) values provided in the Second Assessment Report (AR2) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). As decided by the UNFCCC at the 27th Conference of the Parties in 2022, GWP values set out in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) shall be used to calculate GHG emission inventory by no later than the end of 2024.
In compliance with the requirement of the UNFCCC, the Government has used the AR5's GWP values to compile the 2023 GHG emission inventory and update previous GHG emission figures to reflect annual variations and long-term trends.
Based on the calculation using AR5's GWP values, Hong Kong's total GHG emissions in 2023 amounted to approximately 34.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e), representing a decrease of about 20 per cent compared to 2005 levels and a decrease of about 25 percent from the peak emissions in 2014. The per capita GHG emissions in 2023 reached a new low since 1990, at approximately 4.58 tonnes CO2-e. It is nearly 30 per cent lower than those in 2005 and 2014, and is about a quarter of that of the United States and 60 per cent of that of the European Union. The carbon intensity was about 0.012 kilograms of CO2-e per Hong Kong dollar of GDP, representing a decrease of about 46 per cent compared to 2005.
The three main sources of GHG emissions in Hong Kong remain to be electricity generation (61 per cent), transport (18 per cent), and waste management (8 per cent). With the gradual replacement of coal with natural gas and zero-carbon energy for electricity generation, popularisation of electric vehicles, decrease in municipal solid waste quantity and increase in landfill gas recovery and utilisation (for energy production) in Hong Kong, GHG emissions from electricity generation, transport, and waste management have declined by approximately about 32 per cent, 7 per cent, and 10 per cent, respectively, compared to 2014.
To align with the country's "dual carbon" target to achieve the peak of carbon emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060, the Government will continue to implement the four major decarbonisation strategies, namely, net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction, outlined in Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050, to reduce Hong Kong's carbon emissions by half from the 2005 levels before 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.
Details of the 2023 GHG emission inventory can be found on the following website: cnsd.gov.hk/en/climate-ready/ghg-emissions-and-trends.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/17/P2025041400213.htm.
Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
The Government published the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 (the Bill) in the Gazette on 17 April 2025.
The Bill seeks to amend the Trade Unions Ordinance (Chapter 332) to strengthen the regulation of trade unions to safeguard national security and improve the trade union regulatory regime, thereby facilitating the healthy development of trade unions.
A spokesperson for the Labour Department said, "The proposed amendments will strengthen the statutory powers of the Registrar of Trade Unions to supervise and regulate trade unions to better fulfil the duty of safeguarding national security under the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (6 of 2024). At the same time, the amendments give due regard to the freedom and right of Hong Kong residents to form and join trade unions, and will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions."
The spokesperson added, "Subject to a smooth passage of the Bill, the amendment ordinance will come into operation on the expiry of six months after the day on which it is published in the Gazette. During this period, the Labour Department will further publicise and explain the amendments to trade unions to facilitate their understanding and compliance."
The Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first and second readings on 30 April.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/17/P2025041600555.htm.
Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2025 promotes collaborative development of digital economy in two cities
With the continuous acceleration of global digital transformation, data has become an important resource driving economic growth and innovative development, as well as a new production factor in the digital economy era. The DPO of the HKSARG and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data continue to jointly organise the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2025 (HSODC 2025) in 2025 to inspire more innovative applications and collaborations in open data through the competition.
Under the theme "Co-creating a Data Industry Platform for the Two Cities," the HSODC 2025 invites participants to harness the extensive open data resources available in the two cities. The goal is to inspire innovative projects and develop advanced applications that emphasise four key areas: Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Environment, and Smart Economy, thereby jointly driving deeper integration and fostering synergy between the digital economies of the two cities.
Registration for HSODC 2025 is now open until 16 June. The competition is not only aimed at advancing the robust development of open data ecosystems in the two cities but also cultivating data talent. Participants will benefit from professional training to deeply explore the distinctive features and strengths of urban data resources in both cities. Shortlisted teams will receive specialised technical training from June to mid-August, culminating in an opportunity to present their innovative and unique data technology solutions at the grand finale in Shanghai this August. Exceptional projects may even be recommended to participate in the National Data Administration's "Data Element x" national level competition.
For more details about the competition and other relevant events, please refer to the relevant press release https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/16/P2025041600265.htm and visit the official website: www.eng.hkshadata.org.
Hong Kong's Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with Armenia in force
Hong Kong's Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) with Armenia signed in June 2024 came into force on 9 April 2025, after completion of relevant ratification procedures. The CDTA will be applicable to Hong Kong tax for any year of assessment beginning on or after 1 April 2026.
"Under the CDTA, companies and residents of Hong Kong and Armenia will not have to pay tax twice on a single source of income. The CDTA will allow them to have certainty on tax liabilities and save tax when they engage in cross-border business activities, thus helping to promote bilateral trade and investment. To date, Hong Kong has signed CDTAs with 51 tax jurisdictions," a Government spokesman said.
The CDTA is available on the Hong Kong e-Legislation website.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/15/P2025041500424.htm.
DPO releases Hong Kong GenA.I. Technical and Application Guideline
The DPO released the Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence Technical and Application Guideline (the Guideline) on 15 April 2025.
The Guideline aims to provide practical operational guidance for technology developers, service providers, and users in the application of GenA.I. technology. The Guideline covers the scope and limitations of applications, potential risks and governance principles of GenA.I. technology, including technical risks such as data leakage, model bias, and errors that need to be addressed. The primary objective of the Guideline is to balance AI innovation, application and responsibility, thereby constructing a governance framework with local characteristics that is suitable for the Hong Kong context for all stakeholders in the AI ecosystem. The Government hopes that the Guideline can facilitate the industry and the public in developing and applying generative AI technology in a safe and responsible manner, while encouraging innovative applications of AI, mitigating risks, and fostering the widespread adoption of generative AI in Hong Kong.
The full text of the Guideline has been published on the DPO website: www.digitalpolicy.gov.hk/en/our_work/data_governance/policies_standards/ethical_ai_framework/.
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/15/P2025041500227.htm.
For more recent news, please visit the "What's New" web page of the SUCCESS Website or the "News" web page of the SME Link.
Topical Issues
Support Measures relating to Liquidity
In view of the cash-flow pressure of SMEs, SUCCESS has compiled a summary of support measures relating to liquidity.
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SME ReachOut
“SME ReachOut”, a dedicated service team operated by HKPC, has commenced operation since 1 January 2020 to enhance SMEs’ understanding of the Government’s funding schemes, with a view to encouraging better utilisation of the support provided by the Government. The team would help SMEs identify funding schemes that suit their needs, and answer questions relating to applications.
The Government has allocated $100 million to HKPC to gradually enhance the services of “SME ReachOut” in the ensuing five years starting from 2023. HKPC has enhanced the services of “SME ReachOut” in October 2023, including arranging visits to more chambers of commerce, commercial and industrial buildings and co-working spaces, and increasing the publicity in social media so as to step up the promotion of government funding schemes. At the same time, more one-on-one consultation sessions will be provided to assist SMEs in applying for government funding and building their capacities, focusing on areas such as ESG, technology transformation, digitalisation and cyber security, with a view to enhancing their competitiveness through leveraging new technologies.
For further information or enquiries on “SME ReachOut”, please contact “SME ReachOut” Hotline / WhatsApp (Text Message Only) at 2788 6868 or email by sme_reachout@hkpc.org or visit https://smereachout.hkpc.org/en.
Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund)
To support enterprises to develop the markets of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through electronic commerce (e-commerce) business, the geographical coverage of “E-commerce Easy” was expanded to the 10 ASEAN countries on 14 March 2025.
The HKPC as the BUD Fund implementation partner regularly organises seminars/webinars in order to enhance enterprises’ understanding of the BUD Fund, including “Easy BUD” and “E-commerce Easy”. For more details of the BUD Fund, please visit its website (www.bud.hkpc.org/en) or contact the HKPC at 2788 6088.
Corruption Prevention Advisory Service (CPAS) of ICAC
A good governance system is vital for SMEs' effective operation, and can help sustain their company image and hence counterparts' confidence in doing business with them. The Corruption Prevention Department of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has launched the Corruption Prevention Advisory Service (CPAS). The CPAS is a specialised unit dedicated to providing tailor-made, free and confidential corruption prevention advice on system control in common business areas such as procurement and staff administration. Enterprises can access its user-friendly web portal (https://cpas.icac.hk/EN/) for details of the services and to get timely and useful resources on corruption prevention such as staff code of conduct, corruption prevention guides and tools, case studies, quick tips and red flags. To receive regular updates on corruption prevention, please click here to subscribe to the CPAS e-news.
Free IP Consultation Service
The IPD, supported by the Law Society of Hong Kong, now provides FREE One-On-One IP Consultation Service for SMEs. To obtain more information and/or apply for the Service, please visit IPD's dedicated website "Hong Kong – Regional IP Trading Centre": https://ip.gov.hk/en/home/consultation-service/index.html.
Business News
GDETO Newsletter
The latest issue of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) Newsletter has been published.
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Commercial Information Circulars (CICs) of the Mainland
The TID issued a number of Commercial Information Circulars (CICs) on the Mainland's trade and economic rules and regulations. The latest CICs have been published.
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