According to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) amended by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, the duty stamp system will be implemented to help distinguish between duty-paid and duty-not-paid cigarettes. Hong Kong Customs launched a three-month pilot run for the duty stamp system on 6 October 2025 and plans to implement the first phase of the system in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by full implementation in the second quarter of 2027.

The pilot run for the duty stamp system aims to simulate workflow and technology in practical operations to evaluate their effectiveness and feasibility, as well as to promote industry and public awareness of the key features of the system that enable them to prepare related compliance in advance.

In the first phase of the pilot run, Customs officers at Duty Collection Offices of designated control points, namely the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and selected cargo terminals of Hong Kong International Airport, will affix a trial duty stamp to each unopened retail package of cigarettes brought into Hong Kong by incoming passengers or imported for single shipments upon full duty payment. Meanwhile, local tobacco manufacturers are also invited to join the pilot run and affix trial duty stamps to retail packages of cigarettes intended for local sale. Therefore, cigarettes that bear the trial duty stamps will be supplied on the market later.

The trial duty stamps are designed to bear both physical and digital anti-counterfeiting features. Customs officers and members of the public can scan the encrypted QR code on the trial duty stamp using dedicated devices available at the designated control points or retail outlets to ascertain the duty-paid status of the cigarettes. For easy identification, trial duty stamps affixed by Customs officers and local manufacturers are respectively in blue and green colours.

Participation in the pilot run is voluntary. Hong Kong Customs welcomes the public to give suggestions and views on the pilot run through questionnaires. After the mid-term evaluation, Hong Kong Customs will extend the pilot run to more Duty Collection Offices at various control points. 

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202510/08/P2025100800611.htm.
 

Witnessed by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and steered by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) was launched on 6 October 2025.
          
To better support Mainland enterprises in going global, the 2025 Policy Address proposes integrating Hong Kong's overseas offices, including those under the Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, as well as Hong Kong offices on the Mainland, to set up a one-stop platform, the GoGlobal Task Force, to proactively attract Mainland enterprises seeking to expand their overseas business to "go global via Hong Kong".
          
The launch ceremony began with an opening speech by Mr Chan, followed by an introduction of the future work of the GoGlobal Task Force by Mr Yau. The launch ceremony brought together over 100 representatives from organisations of the GoGlobal Task Force and partners from various industries, including legal, accounting, financial services, banking, chambers, and professional organisations. These parties are the core support for the GoGlobal Task Force, working together to assist Mainland enterprises in going global.
          
In his speech, Mr Chan said, "For Mainland enterprises, expanding globally - particularly into the Global South - and establishing supply chains and industrial chains are not only a major trend but also an inevitable step for sustained growth. To better seize the opportunities arising from this development, we have established the GoGlobal Task Force, led by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. This task force will co-ordinate efforts across various policy bureaus, departments and agencies to provide stronger and more comprehensive support for the overseas expansion of Mainland enterprises."
          
Mr Chan added, "This task force is defined by three key features: First, high-level coordination. By establishing a mechanism at the top tier of the government structure, we ensure a strategic, macro-level perspective, efficient communication and swift execution. This enables us to integrate resources and remove barriers, thereby providing more effective and timely support to enterprises going global. Second, pooling our strengths. Beyond relevant government bureaux and departments, the task force will work closely with public institutions, professional bodies, chambers of commerce and business organisations. This collaborative approach allows us to pool expertise, generate ideas and create powerful synergies Third, proactive engagement. The task force will actively encourage Mainland enterprises to leverage Hong Kong as a platform for overseas expansion. It will also mobilise stakeholders across various sectors to maximise impact and effectiveness —through diverse range of initiatives such as organising market visits and outreach activities in key overseas regions."
               
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Yau said that as the country transforms from rapid growth to high-quality development, more and more outstanding Mainland enterprises are actively expanding overseas markets, and Hong Kong can serve as the "sailing point" for enterprises to go global. The Government aims to bring together professionals from various sectors through the Going Global Task Force to transform the potential of enterprises into tangible results, seeking more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a springboard to successfully and systematically expand globally. The GoGlobal Task Force brings together cross-bureau, cross-departmental, cross-organisation, and cross-sectoral resources and work to build a one-stop, responsive and unprecedented "going global" support platform. In line with the national policy and direction of encouraging Mainland enterprises to go global, it will assist these enterprises to expand their international business in an orderly manner, transform it into a new driving force for Hong Kong's economy, and further consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international business and trade hub.
          
He continued that the Government hopes to continue working together with all sectors to transform Hong Kong's institutional advantages, professional services, and international network into a powerful driving force for enterprises to expand into global markets. This will position Hong Kong as the starting point for Mainland enterprises to go global and a crucial pivot for the country's high-quality development.
          
In delivering her closing remarks, Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Lau said, "Today (6 Oct 2025)'s launch marks a new chapter in Hong Kong's efforts to support Mainland enterprises in going global. Hong Kong has a world-class financial system, professional services and sound rule of law, making it the best base for Mainland enterprises to access international markets. The GoGlobal Task Force, leveraging the global networks and extensive experience of our partners, will work together to make Hong Kong as their base for Mainland enterprises to go global. This will inject new impetus into our economy and consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as the 'three centres and a hub'".
          
To take forward the relevant work, the GoGlobal Task Force plans to discuss its strategies and plans by the end of 2025 and organise its first major promotional event to publicise the work. InvestHK will be responsible for co-ordinating the GoGlobal Task Force's efforts and work closely with relevant policy bureaux and departments, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Mainland offices, professional associations, and industry partners to encourage more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a starting point to connect with the world and expand globally.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202510/06/P2025100600200.htm.

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, briefed members of the Trade and Industry Advisory Board on major initiatives related to promoting economic and trade developments and supporting SMEs in "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address" at a meeting on 2 October 2025.
 
Mr Yau said that the Policy Address has set out a series of initiatives to better leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages of being closely connected to both the Mainland and the world under the "one country, two systems" principle to actively explore new economic growth areas. To more proactively support Mainland enterprises going global, the Government will establish a one-stop platform by mobilising Hong Kong's overseas offices, including those under Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), as well as Hong Kong offices on the Mainland, and set up the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to encourage Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong in expanding their businesses overseas and to formulate proposals for them. The target is to discuss strategies and work plan of the Task Force, and organise the first large-scale promotion event by the end of 2025.
 
Mr Yau stressed that the Government is committed to expanding international economic and trade networks, and deepening international exchanges and co-operation to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international trade centre. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Kuala Lumpur will come into operation progressively by the end of 2025, and the Government will expand the coverage of the current ETOs in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to deepen economic and trade promotion in ASEAN and neighbouring countries, and plan to expand the ETO coverage to more markets with potential. In addition, the Government will continue to proactively take forward the work on free trade agreements and investment agreements.
 
Mr Yau highlighted that the Policy Address has strengthened relevant support for SMEs in view of the challenges facing them due to external influences. The application period for the 80% Guarantee Product under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme will be extended for two years, and the principal moratorium arrangement will be further extended for one year. In addition, to assist SMEs in expanding into more diversified markets, the Government will inject $1.43 billion into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) and expand its geographical scope to cover eight more economies, including Belt and Road countries. Meanwhile, the Government will enhance promotion and facilitate the participation of enterprises in exhibitions and export marketing activities through "Easy BUD".
 
The Government will also assist SMEs in developing cross-border e-commerce business, including supporting the continued organisation of the Hong Kong Shopping Festival, covering the Mainland and ASEAN e-commerce markets over the next three years, implementing the "Creativity • Ecommerce – Beyond Limits" programme and providing one-stop business matching and referral services. The Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (HKECIC) will also increase financing support for local e-commerce businesses on different e-commerce platforms and further expand the coverage of free buyer credit checks to all markets insured by the HKECIC.
 
Mr Yau added that the Government will set up the "Economic and Trade Express", joining the efforts of ETOs and overseas offices of InvestHK and the HKTDC to form a functional platform to enhance synergy, encouraging local SMEs and start-ups to conduct overseas visits to explore more business opportunities.
 
On IP, the Government will assist innovative enterprises in leveraging IPs for financing to enhance the IP trade ecosystem. This includes launching an IP financing sandbox pilot project, providing patent evaluation for enterprises, launching a pilot programme to subsidise patent valuations and promoting IP financing in the Business of IP Asia Forum, as well as providing training on IP for practitioners in the banking sector.
 
Mr Yau also briefed the members on the Government's work in promoting digital trade. On business-to-government trade documents, the Government is pressing ahead with the development of the information technology system of Phase 3 of the Trade Single Window, and will continue its work on connecting the single windows of Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as exploring the connectivity with the ASEAN Single Window. The Government is also drawing reference to the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records to consider legislative amendments to provide a legal basis for the digitalisation of business-to-business trade documents.
 
Mr Yau said that in the face of the complex and ever-changing global trade landscape and geopolitics, the series of measures will enable Hong Kong to strengthen its dual role as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder", actively integrating into the overall national development while tapping international new markets and creating new impetus for Hong Kong's economy, thereby promoting high-quality economic developments.
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202510/02/P2025100200523.htm.
 

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), in collaboration with the HKSTP, announced the launch of the IADS Developer Hackathon and held the Kick-off Ceremony on 2 October 2025, marking the beginning of a multi-month innovation journey to foster innovation for the Interbank Account Data Sharing (IADS) initiative, and transform banking services through secure, customer-consented data sharing.
      
The IADS Developer Hackathon, organised by the HKSTP, runs from October 2025 to March 2026. It brings together the banking industry and fintech firms from around the world to collaborate and create innovative, secure, customer-consented solutions, leveraging the IADS to drive digital transformation in Hong Kong's banking sector. Participants will develop innovative use cases for retail, corporate and small and medium-sized enterprises customer segments, with mentorship provided by banking professionals. Finalists will be invited to showcase their solutions at the IADS Developer Conference in March 2026, and winning teams may also have the opportunity to access business expansion support, investor engagement platforms, brand exposure, and future pitching opportunities through HKSTP, and other partner organisations, to promote the market and development of their solutions.
      
The IADS initiative is formulated by the HKMA and launched with the support of the banking industry. The IADS initiative has established rules and standards that facilitate interbank customer-consented data sharing. This enables customers to securely and efficiently share their bank account data from one participating bank to other participating banks, subject to customer consent. Account data sharing can help digitalise banking operations, strengthen risk management of banks, and enhance customer experience.
      
According to Executive Director (Financial Infrastructure) of the HKMA, Mr Nelson Chow, "The IADS Developer Hackathon represents an exciting opportunity for the financial and technology sectors to converge and drive innovation in IADS. We look forward to this event uncovering novel solutions that will benefit both the industry and the community."
      
Acting Chief Corporate Development Officer of the HKSTP, Mr Eric Or, said, "The IADS Developer Hackathon embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that HKSTP strives to foster. It will help catalyse innovation, providing valuable opportunities for startups to exchange and collaborate with the industry, and propelling Hong Kong's position as a hub for financial technology and innovation."
      
For more information about the IADS initiative, please visit the HKMA website.
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202510/02/P2025100200377.htm.

AFCD optimises quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from Mainland