Newsletter

June 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 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. Other distinguished guests and panellists are Mr Ceferino Rodolfo, Undersecretary of Trade and Industry of the Government of the Philippines; Mr Stephen Phillips, Director-General of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong; Mr Steve Chuang, Deputy Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Ms Precious Valerie Silva, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of PearlPay Inc.; Amb. Francis Chua, Chairman Emeritus and Officer-in-Charge, International Affairs Committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Danilo Lachica, President of the Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, and Atty. Ricky Salvador, Executive Director for External Affairs and Investor Relations of the IT Business Process Association of the Philippines. Register here.

Latest Developments and updates

"Reconnect: Hong Kong – ASEAN Partnership" webinar Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, addressed over 200 participants from the business community in ASEAN member states during an online dialogue on June 11, in which he introduced Hong Kong's strong fundamentals and unique advantages under "one country, two systems". He reassured participants that our city would rise again to the challenges brought about by the pandemic and forge ahead confidently towards a bright future. Mr Cheung pointed out that with the full support of the Central People's Government and the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, Hong Kong’s long term stability and prosperity will be ensured. Mr Cheung emphasised that investors from ASEAN will be able to benefit from the unlimited development potential of Hong Kong. Our city will take the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development as the entry point to better integrate into the overall national development. Mr Cheung invited the ASEAN business community to tap into these enormous opportunities and strengthen its business ties with Hong Kong.
"Early Vaccination for All" campaign The HKSAR Government launched the "Early Vaccination for All" campaign which aimed to help build an immune barrier in our city as soon as possible by significantly raising the vaccination rate during a three-month-long critical period until the end of August, thereby restoring normality to society sooner. The Government and different sectors in the community will roll out various measures to encourage people to receive COVID-19 vaccination
SCED attends APEC virtual Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, attended the virtual Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting of APEC 2021 and spoke on areas of work to which APEC could contribute in conquering COVID-19 and the economic crisis brought by it. On free and open trade, Mr Yau called on member economies to support the rules-based multilateral trading system and deepen regional economic integration towards the eventual realisation of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. "Hong Kong is grateful for the positive response of RCEP participating economies towards Hong Kong's proposed accession, and looks forward to commencing formal dialogues on its early accession when RCEP is ready to take on new partners," he added.
HKETO visits Palembang Representatives of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and Invest Hong Kong visited Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia from 14-16 June 2021. We met prominent business leaders from South Sumatra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (South Sumatra KADIN), the Employers’ Association of Indonesia (South Sumatra APINDO), and Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (South Sumatra HIPMI) to strengthen bilateral relationship and enhance economic cooperation and business exchanges between the two economies.
Hong Kong – a city more than business Think Hong Kong and the chances are trade and business immediately come to mind. And certainly our city’s global reputation stems from its strength as an international finance centre. Our city is also an important lifestyle destination for both tourists and locals. We offer a diversely fascinating mix of lifestyle attractions — from dining and nightlife to contemporary art and traditional culture. Click here to read what makes us such a popular destination for the region, and see how our city can evolve and take its lifestyle offering to even greater heights.