TID-supported Activity

HKTDC Entrepreneur Day 2026 – Explore Innovation and Seize Opportunities

(This event will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 19 & 20 November 2026)

This event is organised by the HKTDC. TID is one of the Official Partners. Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) is the HKTDC’s flagship entrepreneurship event, bringing together start-ups, business leaders, investors, industry experts and aspiring entrepreneurs from around the world. This year, E-Day continues with the theme “Where Start-up Dreams Take Flight”, showcasing innovative start-up solutions alongside a diverse programme of exhibitions, seminars, pitching sessions and networking activities. E-Day 2026 will also feature the SME Tech Clinic, which connects SMEs with suitable start-up solutions to address their business needs and support growth through technology and innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity – register now to visit for free!

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GoGBA Development Day 2026 (Seminar)

(This seminar will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 29 October 2026)

Organised by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office of Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, and the HKTDC, the theme of GoGBA Development Day this year is Capturing Business Opportunities in the GBA under the National 15th Five-Year Plan. This event aims to help enterprises understand the policy directions and business opportunities under the National 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan.  Through sharing and discussions by government officials from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as industry experts, scholars and entrepreneurs, the event will explore how enterprises can capitalise on the complementary strengths of the three places, foster innovation-driven transformation, actively expand into global markets, and deepen their participation in and better serve the overall national development. (This event will be conducted in Cantonese and Putonghua, with simultaneous interpretation in English.)

More details and Registration

Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) (Event)

(This event will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 16 and 17 November 2026)

Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC), co-organised by the HKSARG and the HKTDC, is a flagship supply chain annual event, bringing together stakeholders along the supply chain, including air freight, maritime and logistics service providers, and shippers (brands, manufacturers, traders and distributors, etc.) from around the world, to exchange market intelligence and explore global business opportunities. (Admission fee is required. This event will be conducted in English and Putonghua with simultaneous interpretation.)

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HKTDC African Market Day (Seminar)

(This seminar will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 17 November 2026)

This seminar is organised by the HKTDC. Africa’s growing economies offer exciting business opportunities across a wide range of sectors. In light of this, the HKTDC is organising the African Market Day to help SMEs grasp the latest developments in the African market, gain practical insights into market entry, and learn business expansion strategies. This event will bring together market experts, business leaders and representatives from African countries to share insights on Africa’s economic outlook, emerging opportunities and practical strategies for market entry and expansion, helping enterprises gain a deeper understanding of the African market and seize the business opportunities arising from local development. (This event will be conducted in Cantonese and Putonghua with simultaneous interpretation in English.)

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United Nations Sanctions (South Sudan) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2026 gazetted

The Government gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (South Sudan) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2026 (Amendment Regulation), which came into operation on 9 October 2026 .

"The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (South Sudan) Regulation 2019 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2821 in respect of South Sudan," a Government spokesman said.
  
The amendments renew the arms embargo, travel ban and financial sanctions.

The HKSARG has long been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People's Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/09/P2026100900287.htm.

Notice on the Official Opening and Operation of the Huanggang Port

The Security Bureau of the HKSARG and the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government jointly issued a notice on 9 October 2026 on the official opening and operation of the Huanggang Port at 6:30am of 12 October 2026, providing 24-hour clearance services for passengers and passenger vehicles. At the same time, passenger clearance services between the temporary port building of the Huanggang Port in Shenzhen and the Lok Ma Chau Control Point in Hong Kong were suspended.

Please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/09/P2026100900281.htm for the joint notice.
 
For relevant press release on latest information regarding the arrangements for the opening of the new Huanggang Port, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/10/P2026101000007.htm.

Rates and Government rent due 30 October 2026

Demands for rates and/or Government rent for the quarter from October to December 2026 have been issued, and payment should be made by 30 October 2026.

Payment can be made:

(1) by using autopay, the Faster Payment System (FPS), PPS, Internet banking or bank automated teller machines (ATMs);

(2) by uploading an e-Cheque/e-Cashier Order via the Pay e-Cheque portal;

(3) by sending a crossed cheque to the Treasury, PO Box No. 28000, Sham Shui Po Post Office, Hong Kong (mail with insufficient postage will be rejected); or

(4) in person at any post office or designated convenience store in Hong Kong (i.e. 7-Eleven, Circle K or U select). For the addresses and opening hours of post offices, please call the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline on 2921 2222 or visit its website.

If payers have not received the demands, they may obtain replacement demands or enquire as to the amount payable by (i) visiting the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD)'s website; (ii) calling 2152 0111; (iii) faxing 2152 0113; or (iv) visiting the RVD, 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.

There will be no rates concession for this quarter. The total amount due is shown on the demand. Non-receipt or late receipt of the demand does not alter the requirement that the total amount due must be paid by 30 October 2026. A surcharge of 5 per cent will be imposed for late payment. A further surcharge of 10 per cent will be levied on the amount (including the 5 per cent surcharge) which remains unpaid six months after the last day for payment.

For payment by autopay, the rates and/or Government rent will be debited from payers' bank accounts on 30 October 2026. Payers should ensure that there are sufficient funds in their bank accounts to meet the payments on that date until settlement.

To support environmental protection, payers are encouraged to utilise the RVD's free eRVD Bill service to receive e-bills and make payments, and to settle bills by autopay or other means of e-payment (e.g. FPS, PPS, Internet banking, e-Cheque/e-Cashier Order or ATMs) to save queuing time. Application forms for autopay can be obtained by downloading from the RVD's website, visiting the RVD, District Offices and banks or by calling 2152 0111.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/09/P2026100700531.htm.

Projects jointly funded by Guangdong-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong under 2026/27 Mainland-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme open for application

The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) is inviting applications for projects jointly funded by Guangdong-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong under the 2026/27 Mainland-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (MHKTCFS) from 12 October until 11 December 2026.

An ITC spokesman said, "In alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government's inaugural Five-Year Plan, this call for proposals focused on frontier technologies and strategic emerging industries. It aims to facilitate the flow of innovation and technology elements between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, while deepening synergy among industry, academia, and research, as well as fostering technology and innovation integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area."

The MHKTCFS aims to encourage research and development collaboration among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in the Mainland and Hong Kong. All applications must fit the specific themes/topics, and be submitted simultaneously by the Hong Kong and Mainland applicant organisations to the ITC and relevant Mainland authorities respectively. The three categories of projects under the MHKTCFS are:

1. Projects jointly funded by the Mainland and Hong Kong (jointly solicited with the Ministry of Science and Technology);
2. Projects jointly funded by Guangdong and Hong Kong (jointly solicited with the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province); and
3. Projects jointly funded by Shenzhen and Hong Kong (jointly solicited with the Science, Technology and Innovation Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality).

Application details for projects jointly funded by the Mainland and Hong Kong will be announced in due course.

Further information on the MHKTCFS is available on the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) website (https://www.itf.gov.hk/en/funding-programmes/supporting-research/mhktcfs/index.html). For enquiries, please contact the ITF Secretariat (Tel: 3543 5904; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk). 

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/07/P2026100700161.htm.

Immigration Department to introduce enrolment service for "collaborative inspection" automated channel

The 2026 Policy Address announced that the redeveloped Huanggang Port is expected to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2026. To further enhance passenger experience and clearance efficiency, the Huanggang Port will, based on the co-location arrangement, implement the novel "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode. The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced on 6 October 2026 that with immediate effect, eligible Hong Kong residents can enrol for the "collaborative inspection" automated channel service via the ImmD's "HK e-Channel" (formerly "Contactless e-Channel") mobile application.

The redeveloped Huanggang Port is installed with 134 "collaborative inspection" automated channels and 68 traditional manual counters. Enrolled passengers using the "collaborative inspection" automated channels will only need to queue up and present their identity documents once to complete the immigration clearance procedures of both Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

For the enrolment methods of different categories of eligible Hong Kong residents and Mainland visitors, please refer to the Annex.

The ImmD reminds that passengers are still required to carry their valid travel documents conforming to the immigration requirements of both regions when using the "collaborative inspection" automated channels to travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Furthermore, passengers can also choose to use the traditional manual counters for immigration clearance.

For the use and other details of the "collaborative inspection" automated channel service, please visit the ImmD's website at www.immd.gov.hk/cijcpec_hkt. For enquiries, please submit an online enquiry form at www.immd.gov.hk/enquiry, call the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111, fax to 2877 7711, or email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk. 

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/06/P2026100600261.htm.

InnoCarnival 2026 to run from 24 October to 1 November

Organised by the ITC, the InnoCarnival 2026 (IC 2026) will be held for nine consecutive days from 24 October to 1 November at the Hong Kong Science Park with the theme of "Lead with I&T Dream to Fly High". Public admission is free. The event is receiving support from over 40 programme partners, including local universities, research and development (R&D) centres, government departments and other organisations. By showcasing a number of local innovations and research achievements, the event will offer the public an opportunity to experience the vibrant innovation and technology (I&T) development scene in Hong Kong, as well as the diverse applications of these innovations.

IC 2026 exhibition booths will be set up to showcase local I&T achievements, some of them with interactive games. A diverse line-up of about 150 workshops and over 10 webinars across various subjects including aerospace technology and AI will be available during the Carnival. All activities are free of charge. Some of the activities require preregistration, which will begin at 10.30am on 6 October 2026 (Tuesday). Details are available at the thematic webpage (innocarnival.hk).

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/05/P2026100500295.htm.

Government proposes legislative amendments to facilitate green maritime fuel bunkering operations

The Government published in the Gazette on 2 October 2026 six pieces of subsidiary legislation to amend Schedule 3 to the Pilotage Ordinance (Cap. 84) and five pieces of subsidiary legislation under the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295), the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (Cap. 313) and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance (Cap. 548) to ensure that port facilities, including anchorages, and related arrangements can meet the growing demand for green maritime fuel bunkering services amid the global trend towards maritime decarbonisation. 

The five pieces of subsidiary legislation to be amended are:

(a) Immigration (Anchorages and Landing Places) (Amendment) Order (Cap. 115C); 
(b) Dangerous Goods (Shipping) (Amendment) Regulation 2012 (Cap. 295F);
(c) Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Regulation (Cap. 313A);
(d) Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) (Amendment) Regulation (Cap. 548F); and 
(e) Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation (Cap. 548J). 

The proposed legislative amendments cover the optimisation of the layout of anchorages and port facilities. These include establishing seven new anchorages, adjusting the boundaries of eight anchorages, converting three dangerous goods anchorages or service anchorages into multipurpose anchorages, repealing two existing anchorages, formalising two existing recommended Traffic Separation Schemes (TSSs) into local statutory TSSs, and introducing a more trade-friendly fee structure for GMBs. These measures will ensure that the Hong Kong Port has sufficient sea room to meet the demand for green maritime fuel bunkering services. Furthermore, the Government proposes to repeal a dangerous goods anchorage and a designated bunkering area located near residential areas and to make corresponding adjustments to other anchorages and designated bunkering areas to minimise potential impacts on nearby communities.

The proposed amendment regulations were submitted to the Legislative Council (LegCo) on 7 October 2026 for negative vetting. 
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202610/02/P2026100200244.htm.

Order to amend Dangerous Drugs Ordinance gazetted

The Government published the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2026 (DDO Order) in the Gazette on 2 October 2026. 
 
The DDO Order was tabled at the LegCo on 7 October 2026 for negative vetting. It is expected to become effective on 27 November 2026. Details including the justifications of the legislative proposal could be found from the brief for the LegCo at Annex.

The DDO Order will add three substances, namely-

(1) N-Pyrrolidino isotonitazene,
(2) N-Desethyl etonitazene, and
(3) Methyl 2-{[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)indazole-3-carbonyl]amino}-3,3-dimethylbutanoate ("MDMB-FUBINACA")

to the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). Under the strict control of the DDO, trafficking and manufacturing of these substances are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Possession and consumption of these substances in contravention of the DDO will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million.

The Government has been vigilant in closely monitoring drug trends in and outside Hong Kong, and takes action in a timely manner to bring new drugs under legislative control. As a regular exercise, the Government, from time to time, proposes amendments to the DDO to include new dangerous drugs under statutory control with a view to preventing them from posing a threat to public health and public safety. The spokesperson said, "The amendments align with international control requirements and aim to strengthen safeguards against any potential trafficking and abuse of these dangerous drugs. This will further reinforce Hong Kong's defence against drugs."
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202609/30/P2026093000422.htm.

Government announces first batch of successful IP Financing Sandbox pilot cases and launches Pilot Patent Valuation Support Scheme

The Government announced on 30 September 2026 that a first batch of seven pilot cases of the Intellectual Property Financing Sandbox (Sandbox) have successfully completed credit approval. The Government also launched the Pilot Patent Valuation Support Scheme (Pilot Scheme) to strengthen support for enterprises in valuation of their intellectual property (IP) assets. The two complementary measures not only signify an important step forward for Hong Kong in promoting enterprises' use of IP assets as a financing tool, but also help accumulate practical experience and enhance the relevant support measures for the further local development of IP financing, in line with the direction set out in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address to deepen Hong Kong's development as a regional IP trading centre.

The seven pilot cases that have successfully completed credit approval cover the electronics, construction, toy manufacturing and medical device sectors, involving IP assets comprising patents and trade marks, with loan amounts ranging from $1 million to $39 million. Details of the participating banks and enterprises are available at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)'s website (www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/).

The Sandbox is an important initiative to promote IP financing under the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address. The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), the HKMA, and the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) jointly launched the Sandbox in December 2025. Three major banks in Hong Kong and their corporate clients from different sectors, as well as professional services organisations, have actively participated in the Sandbox. The Sandbox provides a collaborative and risk-controlled environment for key stakeholders, including banks, enterprises and relevant professional services organisations, to collectively test out the full lifecycle of financing arrangements based on IP assets on a "pioneer and pilot" approach, thereby accumulating practical experience.

A Government spokesman said, "The first batch of successful cases fully demonstrates that, through the concerted efforts of the CEDB, the HKMA, the IPD, banks, enterprises and professional services organisations, Hong Kong can steadily explore IP financing, thereby unlocking a new financing channel for enterprises with quality IP assets, and facilitating the commercialisation of research and creative outcomes."

The spokesman continued, "By running pilot projects within the Sandbox, participating banks have been able to test the operation of IP financing in a risk-controlled environment, thereby accumulating experience in risk management, valuation and credit approval. We are pleased to note that, in the course of piloting within the Sandbox, banks have offered greater flexibility regarding loan amounts and financing terms, taking into account the value of the IP assets owned by enterprises."

The CEDB, the HKMA, and the IPD will continue to collect stakeholders' views and consolidate market feedback and experience in formulating the direction for advancing the next phase of the Sandbox, such as exploring an expansion in the number of participating banks and enterprises, encouraging more pilot cases, enhancing the IP valuation process, etc. At the same time, they will continue to work closely with banks and the professional services sector to deepen the market's understanding of IP financing and drive its development.

In addition, the Government launched the two-year Pilot Scheme through the Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Centre (HKTISC) to facilitate the advancement of the next phase of the Sandbox, strengthen relevant support measures, and enhance the local IP financing ecosystem. Adopting a matching grant model of 1 (Government): 1 (eligible small and medium-sized enterprise), the Pilot Scheme provides each enterprise of an approved application with a one-off funding capped at $80,000 to support its commissioning of a qualified service provider (mainly accountants, financial analysts and surveyors) to conduct valuation of its patents and other IP assets.

At the same time, where the IP assets of an approved enterprise comprise at least one Hong Kong patent that has undergone substantive examination, the HKTISC will, with the assistance of the IPD's patent examiners, provide the enterprise with a complimentary qualitative patent evaluation report that systematically analyses the overall quality of the patent by reference to several multidimensional indicators (notably the legal, technical and economic value of the patent) based on the national standard for one Hong Kong patent designated by the approved enterprise concerned. The results of such qualitative evaluation may serve as reference for valuation service providers in conducting the quantitative patent valuation. The aforesaid qualitative patent evaluation service is also made available to users as an optional value-added chargeable service.

The spokesman said, "The Pilot Scheme aims to leverage Hong Kong's world-class professional services to promote IP valuations, provide concrete reference data on enterprises' assets for credit financing, and drive a thriving and robust IP trading ecosystem. By providing high-quality and professional quantitative valuations and qualitative patent evaluations, the Pilot Scheme assists these enterprises to showcase the economic value and market potential of their intangible assets to financial institutions and investors, thereby boosting the confidence of financial institutions and investors to form strategic business partnerships with enterprises through investment or provision of financing."

The Pilot Scheme is now open for applications, and details of the eligibility requirements and application procedures of the Pilot Scheme are available at the IPD's website (www.ip.gov.hk/en/home/index.html).

The Government will continue to seize the opportunity brought by the country's support under the National 15th Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong to deepen its development as a regional IP trading centre, and adopt a multipronged approach to promote more IP financing and trading activities through the Sandbox, the Pilot Scheme and other related measures based on the blueprint set out in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan. The Government expects that, as these measures are progressively implemented and become increasingly mature, the local IP trading and financing ecosystem will be further enhanced, thereby consolidating Hong Kong's status and competitive edge as a regional IP trading centre.
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202609/30/P2026092900626.htm.

Development Bureau invites industry to submit applications for inclusion in "pre-qualified lists" of building maintenance consultants and contractors (Deadline: 27 October 2026)

The three "pre-qualified lists" of consultants and contractors under the new support service for building maintenance works are now open for applications for inclusion, and the deadline is 27 October 2026.

Details of the compilation of the "pre-qualified lists, the pre-qualification criteria, the biennial review mechanism and the arrangements for removal and suspension of the pre-qualification status are set out in the Annex. 

For the application details for the "pre-qualified lists", please visit the dedicated website at pq.ura.org.hk/en. Interested consultants and contractors may submit applications via the online platform on the website. For enquiries, please send an email to pqenquiry@ura.org.hk or call 2588 2929 during office hours (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm).

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202609/29/P2026092900641.htm.

Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2026 gazetted

The Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2026 was gazetted on 2 October 2026 to relax the criteria for stamp duty relief for intra-group asset transfers of enterprise groups, as proposed in the 2026-27 Budget.

According to the Stamp Duty Ordinance, stamp duty relief is provided for the transfer of immovable property or Hong Kong stock between associated bodies corporate. Currently, if one of two bodies corporate owns 90 per cent or above of the issued share capital of another, or a third body corporate owns 90 per cent or above of the issued share capital of each of them, relevant bodies corporate would be regarded as associated. The Bill will relax the criteria in determining whether two bodies corporate are associated, taking into account other direct or indirect beneficial interests or voting rights in addition to issued share capital, and lowering the ownership threshold to 75 per cent.

A Government spokesperson said, "Since some new enterprises, such as limited liability partnerships and companies limited by guarantee, etc, do not issue shares, other enterprises may exercise ownership in these enterprises through direct or indirect beneficial interests such as equity interests or participation interests. The Bill relaxes the definition of associated bodies corporate, enabling these new enterprises to also benefit from the stamp duty relief for intra-group asset transfers.

"Business expansion and restructuring frequently involve the transfer of assets within a business group. The Bill enables more enterprises to benefit from the relevant stamp duty relief, which will further enhance the business environment, thereby increasing the competitiveness of Hong Kong's tax regime."

The Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first reading and the commencement of the second reading debate on 14 October 2026. Subject to passage by the LegCo, it will apply to the instruments executed on or after 25 February 2026. 
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202609/29/P2026092900474.htm.

 

Topical Issues

GDETO Newsletter

The latest issue of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) Newsletter has been published.

More Details (in Chinese only)

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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Overseas Market Regulations

The HKTDC gives guides and resources, as well as regulatory alert, on trade regulations of overseas markets.

More Details