​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office hosted a business seminar in Kuala Lumpur today (November 8), encouraging Malaysian companies to leverage Hong Kong's strategic position as a gateway to establish and expand in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
     
     The seminar entitled "The Arising Business Opportunities – The Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong" was attended by over 140 guests from the local business community. It was co-organised by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).
     
     The seminar began with welcoming remarks by the Vice President of the ACCCIM, Mr Yap Heng Or, followed by keynote addresses delivered by the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, and the Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau. The Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, also joined the event.
     
     Ms Chan said, "Thanks to the 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong is the international entry point of the GBA, the ideal base for Malaysian companies and talent looking to tap into the region's vast opportunities, and the best platform to build their Mainland and Asian businesses and careers.
     
     "The GBA development has entered a new phase characterised by a higher speed and a broader scope of development. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to sharpen Hong Kong's unique edges and seek further policy innovation and breakthroughs together with Guangdong and Macao, with a view to further enhancing the flow of people, goods, capital and information within the GBA and creating new opportunities for foreign enterprises in Hong Kong to access the GBA market."
     
     Ms Lau said, "Hong Kong is an important gateway to the GBA. As the most internationalised city in the region, the city has the most comprehensive business environment, a well-established legal system and financial market, as well as a series of policies that enable Hong Kong companies to do business in Mainland China. It is an important springboard for overseas companies to expand their businesses in the GBA."
 
     At the fireside chat, the panellists, including Ms Lau, the Managing Partner of Kairous Capital, Mr Joseph Lee, and Sub-committee member of the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Mr Lawrence Liu discussed business opportunities for Malaysian companies in the GBA and shared their insights on how Malaysian businesses can tap into the GBA market via Hong Kong. 

          

     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at Hong Kong Legal Week 2024: Rule of Law: The Best Business Environment today (November 8):
      
Vice-Minister Wang Zhenjiang (Vice-Minister of Justice), Chief Justice Andrew Cheung (the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good morning. It is a great pleasure to speak to you, today, on the fifth day of this year's Hong Kong Legal Week.
      
     It has been a great week for law, for Hong Kong's legal system, for our unwavering commitment to the rule of law, and the stability and confidence it offers businesses and investors all over the world.
      
     And, let me add, this year's Legal Week has attracted a world of legal professionals, in person and online, from nearly 50 jurisdictions. That, ladies and gentlemen, is testament to the overwhelming support of our local legal community and the international legal fraternity.  
      
     The central theme of this year's Legal Week, "Hong Kong Common Law System: World-Class Springboard to China and Beyond", neatly encapsulates Hong Kong's legal professional services.
      
     Our legal environment positions Hong Kong both as a gateway to Mainland China and a dynamic hub for business and legal and dispute resolution practice internationally.
      
     Throughout this year's Legal Week, we have heard from a wide and welcome range of speakers: government officials, eminent judges and senior representatives of international legal organisations, alternative dispute resolution practitioners, business executives, and academics.
      
     The range of discussions and legal issues have been equally diverse, covering international legal co-operation, national development, alternative dispute resolution, the use of AI (artificial intelligence) and lawtech, and emerging opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
      
     Our theme today, the "Rule of Law: The Best Business Environment", is a fitting conclusion to this year's Hong Kong Legal Week.
      
     Hong Kong's common law system remains robust and indispensable, thanks to the unique "one country, two systems" principle.
      
     As President Xi Jinping has emphasised, "one country, two systems" is a good system that must be adhered to in the long run. It is essential for maintaining stability and ensuring that Hong Kong continues to thrive as a special administrative region within our country.
      
     It allows us to shape our future as the only common law jurisdiction in China, a distinction that entails significant advantages.
      
     First, our common law system has a well-established body of law freely accessible in Chinese and English. The bilingual framework ensures that local, Mainland and international businesses can navigate our rules and regulations, with predictability and confidence.
      
     Second, Hong Kong's distinct connection to the Mainland sets us apart. We benefit from unique legal assistance arrangements and convenience measures with the Mainland, particularly in civil and commercial matters and dispute resolution. And these enhance our attractiveness as a business destination.
      
     This is precisely our role as a springboard to China and beyond, and we are proud to serve as a "super connector" and "super value-adder".
      
     Third, this singular legal framework is supported by a pool of world-class legal and dispute resolution professionals. Often bilingual or even multilingual, they understand both Chinese and Western cultures, and they are well versed in international rules and practices.
      
     These three factors – our system, our connections and our talent – make Hong Kong truly unique and welcoming to businesses and investors.
      
     That’s clear in our high ranking, finishing 23rd globally, in this year's Rule of Law Index, published just two weeks ago by the World Justice Project.
      
     And there's more good news. We ranked first in Asia, and third globally, in the latest Global Financial Centres Index Report.
      
     The World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Hong Kong fifth, globally, this year. That's up two places from last year's results. We topped the rankings in "business legislation" and "international trade" in the Yearbook.
      
     These and other indicators underline Hong Kong's status as a preferred destination for global businesses.
      
     The rule of law is no less essential to our success. The bedrock of our legal framework, it ensures stability, security and fairness – key elements that businesses look for when making decisions about where to invest and operate in.
      
     A strong rule of law enhances the protection of property rights, provides recourse for disputes, and instils confidence among investors.
      
     And it all comes together thanks to our legal sector and the talented professionals behind it.
      
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is dedicated to ensuring a continuing flow of talented legal professionals for Hong Kong. That is why I'm delighted to announce that, this afternoon, we will launch the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy.
      
     The Academy will cultivate the skills of our legal and dispute resolution professionals. It will also collaborate with international organisations and legal bodies, strengthening exchanges in regions under the Belt and Road Initiative, and underlining Hong Kong's status as a capacity-building centre for legal talent throughout the region and beyond.
      
     This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Ministry of Justice and the Department of Justice of the HKSAR Government have jointly set up an exhibition for this Legal Week, highlighting the milestones achieved and initiatives undertaken by our country in foreign-related legal affairs. It also spotlights the pivotal role played by Hong Kong in contributing to China's rule of law.
      
     I am confident that Hong Kong will continue to contribute to our country's rule of law, in large part thanks to my colleagues at the Department of Justice. Your unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong is essential for its continuing success – and ours.
      
     The HKSAR Government puts a policy priority on the rule of law and on our legal sector in general. The International Organization for Mediation – the world's first intergovernmental legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation – will be headquartered in Hong Kong. And, in my Policy Address last month, I outlined measures to promote a culture of mediation in Hong Kong. That includes incorporating mediation clauses in government contracts and encouraging the private sector to do so as well, as detailed in our policy statement this week.
      
     We will also explore the establishment of a sports dispute resolution system in Hong Kong, and the development of sports arbitration here.
      
     We see opportunity, too, in advancing our lawtech capabilities, and expanding co-operation with our Mainland legal counterparts.
      
     These and other prospects and issues, I'm pleased to note, were among the fruitful discussions that have taken place at Legal Week events over the past few days. Our collective efforts will ensure that Hong Kong's rule of law continues to shape our future, and our future success.
      
     I am grateful to the Department of Justice for organising this year's Legal Week. My thanks, too, to Legal Week's many supporting organisations.
      
     Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a rewarding final day at Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 and the best of business, and law, in the coming year.
      
     Thank you.

     The relevant provisions of the Mercury Control Ordinance prohibiting the supply and sale of regulated mercury-added products will come into effect on December 1 this year to protect public health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions of mercury and mercury compounds.
      
     The Ordinance came into effect on December 1, 2021, to fully implement the Minamata Convention on Mercury in Hong Kong. It regulates the import, export, keeping and use of mercury, mercury mixtures and mercury compounds, as well as the import, export and manufacture of mercury-added products. Provisions prohibiting the supply or sale of regulated mercury-added products will take effect on December 1 this year to facilitate the industry's gradual transition to the use and supply of mercury-free alternatives.
      
     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that starting from December 1, 2024, no person shall supply (including selling or providing for free) regulated mercury-added products. However, the use of regulated mercury-added products does not constitute an offence. Regulated mercury-added products include batteries, switches and relays, compact fluorescent lamps, linear fluorescent lamps, high-pressure mercury vapour lamps, cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external electrode fluorescent lamps for electronic display, cosmetics, biocides and topical antiseptics, and non-electronic measuring devices (mercury thermometers and mercury sphygmomanometers).
      
     The spokesman said, "Currently, most regulated mercury-added products are no longer available on the market. There are ample mercury-free alternatives available, and there are no local manufacturers that require the use of mercury or mercury compounds in their manufacturing processes. It is believed that this control will have a very low impact on the public and the industry."
      
     In order to help the industry understand and comply with the provisions of the Ordinance, the EPD has sent letters to inform stakeholders, including suppliers, sellers, and chambers of commerce, about the details of the prohibition on the supply of regulated mercury-added products. This information has also been disseminated to their members through chambers of commerce. From September to October this year, EPD officers visited about 1 000 merchants that may still sell regulated mercury-added products (such as mercury thermometers and mercury sphygmomanometers), distributing promotional materials and explaining relevant regulatory content to them.
      
     In addition, the EPD will provide free collection and disposal services to merchants who still have stocks of regulated mercury-added products. Merchants in need can apply to the EPD from December 2, 2024, to January 17, 2025. Enquiries regarding the details can be made by calling 3107 8421 or emailing mercurycontrol@epd.gov.hk.
      
     For information on regulated mercury-added products, please visit the EPD webpage:
     www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/international_conventions/mercury/mco.html. â€‹

     The Customs and Excise Department today (November 8) reminded importers and exporters that import or export declarations for shipments on or after January 1, 2025, must be completed in accordance with the amendments made to the Hong Kong Imports and Exports Classification List (Harmonized System).

     The amendments, published in the Gazette today, will take effect from January 1, 2025.

     The amendments involve seven commodity items, namely animal products, plants, rubber tyres, iron and steel, automatic data processing machines, static converters and optical media.

     These amendments will bring the classifications more in line with latest circumstances through the adoption of a more appropriate commodity sub-classifications and descriptions.

     Importers and exporters can obtain the amended list in the following ways:

     (1) by downloading the list from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) at www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_1364.html; or 

     (2) by calling the Import/Export Declaration and Cargo Manifest Enquiry Hotline of the C&SD at 2877 1818.

     For enquiries about trade classifications, please contact the Trade Classification Section of the C&SD through the Commodity Code Enquiry Hotline at 3178 8933, by fax to 2824 2782 or by email to trade-declaration@censtatd.gov.hk.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, met with Swiss financial officials and top management of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Bern and Lausanne, respectively, on the last day of his visit to Switzerland (November 7, Bern time).

     In the morning, Mr Hui met with the State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance, Switzerland, Ms Daniela Stoffel. Mr Hui noted that Hong Kong has set out its strategic development as an international financial centre (IFC) on all fronts, including fintech, sustainable finance and the connect programmes facilitating the two-way flow of capital between China and the world. Both sides discussed opportunities for bilateral co-operation, given that Hong Kong is a leading IFC with its financial sector contributing nearly one-fourth of its Gross Domestic Product, while Switzerland has a well-developed service sector led by financial services.

     Mr Hui participated in the IMD's luncheon, during which he met with the Director of the IMD World Competitiveness Center, Professor Arturo Bris. Mr Hui also met separately with the IMD's President, Mr David Bach. Mr Hui shared with Mr Bach Hong Kong's latest policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the asset and wealth management industry as well as green and sustainable finance. The two parties will maintain communication and explore more bilateral co-operation opportunities between Hong Kong and Switzerland.

     The IMD's World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, published earlier this year, continued to recognise Hong Kong as one of the most competitive economies in the world. Hong Kong's ranking rose two places to fifth globally in the Yearbook, with its ranking in "Business efficiency" placing within the top 10 globally. In terms of sub-factors, Hong Kong ranked among the global top five in "Tax policy", "International investment" and "Finance".   

     On the same day, Mr Hui paid a courtesy call to the charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, Mr Mao Jun, in Bern.

     Concluding his visit to Switzerland, Mr Hui said, "The Chief Executive clearly states in his 2024 Policy Address the principle that anything essential but lacking in the system must be established; and any areas in need of consolidation must be reinforced and improved. He also noted the need to continue to actively expand and deepen overseas networks. My visit to Switzerland is a step towards putting these ideas into practice.

     "Switzerland has traditionally been a centre for asset and wealth management and risk management, and Hong Kong has also been developing these two areas in recent years. The Policy Address proposed several key measures to further strengthen Hong Kong's status as international asset and wealth management and risk management centres. Switzerland and Hong Kong offer financial services across different time zones. Through meetings with top figures from international organisations, the financial sector and the business community, all parties share the view that there is ample room for co-operation between the two places. In addition, Switzerland and Hong Kong, as well as the international community, attach great importance to sustainable disclosure. Hong Kong must capitalise on the momentum of this development and strive to be among the first jurisdictions to align the local sustainability disclosure requirements with the International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards), in order to consolidate our position as an international green and sustainable finance hub and attract more overseas enterprises to leverage our strengths for development in Hong Kong."

     Mr Hui will return to Hong Kong today (November 8).