Newsletter

May 2021

Dear friends,

Here is the latest issue of Hong Kong Files, a newsletter published by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office that contains major news on Hong Kong and our office.

You are welcome to share the information with colleagues and interested parties.

Upcoming activities highlights

Webinar: “Reconnect: Hong Kong-ASEAN Partnership” The Chief Secretary of Administration, Mr. Matthew Cheung, will speak at a webinar on June 11, covering various topics including our city’s development under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the improvements on our electoral system and Hong Kong’s efforts and experience in fighting COVID-19. Register here

Webinar: “Reconnect and Reinforce: Hong Kong – the Philippines Partnership” The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Department of Trade and Industry of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines will be jointly organising a high-level webinar on June 29. Mr. Edward Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government; Mr. Ramon M. Lopez, Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Government of the Philippines, and prominent business leaders will share insight on the development trends and the emerging opportunities in the region on the near-term and post-pandemic horizon.

Latest Developments and updates

HK display resilience as a global financial centre Hong Kong's resilience as a global financial centre and gateway to Mainland China remained strong and solid. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, in its 2020 Annual Report, attributed our city's robustness to its healthy reserves management, stable banking system and leading role as the largest offshore RMB business hub. It also shed light on how green finance, virtual banking and fintech will continue to shape Hong Kong's development as a financial hub. Read more here.
HK – A top venue for arbitration Hong Kong has risen one place to rank 3rd in the league table of the world's most preferred seats for arbitration. According to the latest 2021 International Arbitration Survey by Queen Mary University of London, the findings reflect the city's long-standing reputation as a safe seat for arbitration. The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre also rose one place to rank as the world's 3rd most-preferred institution for arbitration. Significantly, 50% of the organisations surveyed chose Hong Kong as their preferred venue for arbitration, up from 28% in the previous survey in 2018.
Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill The Government introduced the Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill 2021 into the Legislative Council to create a new pathway for admission of qualified non-locally trained doctors who are Hong Kong permanent residents to practise in Hong Kong. Click here for more details.
Fintech powers the “new normal” economy The coronavirus crisis has provided a catalyst for a digital transformation through fintech. As Hong Kong emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s technology sector is powering confidence in the “new normal” economy, helping corporates and individuals tackle fresh ways of doing business. Learn more. The Harvard Business Review also produced a survey report to examine best practices for building resilience in the face of global disruption with fintech, and how Hong Kong offers organisations a resilient solution. Read the report here.
HK relax quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers Fully vaccinated travellers arriving in Hong Kong can have their compulsory quarantine reduce for 7 days. Our Government had also revised the boarding and quarantine requirements for different countries according to the epidemic situation. Click here to learn about the latest travel requirements.
HKETO visits Makassar Representatives of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and Invest Hong Kong visited Makassar, Indonesia on 7-9 April to meet with local prominent business leaders and business chambers, including South Sulawesi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (South Sulawesi KADIN), the Employers’ Association of Indonesia (APINDO), and Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), to strengthen bilateral relationship and enhance economic cooperation and business exchanges between the two economies.
Green for Go Driven by innovative strategies and a variety of forward-thinking initiatives, Hong Kong is blossoming as a hub for green and sustainable finance and a leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG). Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the HKMA, outlines the city’s unique vision.
Fabulous feast of art at Art Basel Hong Kong Over 100 leading galleries from around the world showcased 800 eclectic artworks – painting, sculpture, print, photography, film, digital art and many more – at the 2021 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong, taking place at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre and in virtual space on May 21-23.