â€‹The Government announced today (October 20) the appointment of Mr Richard Tsang Lap-ki as a new member, and the reappointments of Mr Abraham Chan, Dr Allen Fung Yuk-lun, Mr Ricky Szeto Wing-fu and Professor Simon Wong Kit-lung as members, of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) for a term of two years from November 1, 2023, to October 31, 2025. 
      
     A spokesman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau welcomed Mr Tsang in joining the Board, and expressed gratitude to the reappointed members for their continued valuable advice to the HKTB. He also thanked the outgoing member, Ms Alice Kwok Yim-ming, for her contribution to the work of the Board in the past six years.
      
     Appointments to the HKTB are made by the Chief Secretary for Administration in exercise of the powers delegated to him by the Chief Executive and pursuant to section 9 of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Ordinance (Chapter 302).
      
     The membership of the HKTB commencing November 1, 2023 will be as follows:
 
Dr Pang Yiu-kai (Chairman)
Commissioner for Tourism (Deputy Chairman) with Deputy Commissioner for Tourism as alternate member
Mr Abraham Chan
Ms Sonia Cheng Chi-man
Ms Vanessa Cheung Tih-lin
Mr Dennis Chow Chi-in
Mr Fong Lik-sun
Ms Margaret Fong Shun-man
Dr Allen Fung Yuk-lun
Mrs Gianna Hsu Wong Mei-lun
Ms Mary Huen Wai-yi
Mrs Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi
Ms Rebecca Kwan Shuk-wah
Ms Lavinia Lau Hoi-zee
Mr Ricky Szeto Wing-fu
Ms Joyce Tam Joy-yee
Mr Richard Tsang Lap-ki
Mr James Wong Cheuk-on
Professor Simon Wong Kit-lung
Mr Ronald Wu Keng-hou

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has received notification from the Government of the Republic of Albania (Albania) that the period of visa-free entry to Albania for holders of HKSAR passports has been extended from up to 14 days to 90 days.
 
     The Government of the HKSAR has also received notification from the Government of the Republic of Uganda (Uganda) that the period of visa-free entry to Uganda for holders of HKSAR passports has been changed to up to 90 days, instead of being determined by the competent authorities upon arrival.
 
     An Immigration Department spokesman said, "Albania and Uganda are along the Belt and Road. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, the enhancement of visa-free arrangements will bring greater travel convenience to holders of HKSAR passport and strengthen tourism, cultural and economic ties between the places."
 
     As of today, 168 countries and territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders. Please visit the following website for details:
www.immd.gov.hk/eng/service/travel_document/visa_free_access.html
or scan the QR code in the attachment.

　　Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award winner Eliane Elias will make her Hong Kong debut and stage a jazz concert for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s Great Music 2023 in November. The versatile Brazilian musician will showcase her musical talents by presenting her hit compositions to Hong Kong music lovers with her unique performance style.
 
　　Elias, together with her longtime collaborative jazz musicians Marc Johnson (double bass), Leandro Pellegrino (guitar) and Rafael Barata (drums), will perform works in the concert that combine jazz, Brazilian, classical and pop music styles. Many of the compositions are from her critically acclaimed albums, including last year's "Quietude" that features bossa nova jazz balladry. With her alluring voice, virtuosic piano skills and impromptu live interpretation, Elias will bring to audiences a jazz music evening with a Latin flare.
 
　　Elias is a highly acclaimed pianist, singer and composer as well as an arranger. Her distinctive musical style is one of the most unique and immediately recognisable sounds in jazz and Brazilian music. She has released 31 albums to date, winning two Grammy Awards for "Best Latin Jazz Album" and two Latin Grammy Awards for "Best Jazz Album". Elias has toured in 74 countries and regions. In 2018, she was presented with an Edison Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award in the Netherlands.
 
　　"Jazz Concert by Eliane Elias" will be held at 8pm on November 23 (Thursday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $200, $320, $420 and $520 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1575.html.

　　The LCSD presents the Great Music 2023 from September to November. Various internationally acclaimed musicians and ensembles will come to Hong Kong to perform an array of exciting and diversified music programmes. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1576.html.

  

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 20) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) announced today (October 20) that two venture capital (VC) funds, namely Qiming Venture Partners VIII, L.P. and Qiming Venture Partners VIII-HC, L.P., have been added as co-investment partners (CPs) of the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF).
      
     In the third round of applications for becoming CPs of the ITVF, the ITC has so far selected a total of eight CPs out of a total of 15 applications. Following the six CPs selected earlier, based on the assessment criteria including the VC fund's capability, its investment strategy and performance, its management team's expertise and experience, its local network and resources, as well as the advice of the ITVF Advisory Committee, the ITC has selected two other CPs.   
      
     To date, the ITVF has a total of 19 CPs (see Annex) and has co-invested in 27 local innovation and technology (I&T) start-ups. The Government's investment amounts to around $209 million, attracting over $2.1 billion of private investment. The business areas of these I&T start-ups include supply chain management, e-commerce, financial technology, biotechnology and artificial intelligence.
      
     The Government set up the ITVF with a view to attracting more VC funds to co-invest in local I&T start-ups and creating a more vibrant I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong. The CPs are responsible for recommending suitable investment targets to the ITC. The ITC will co-invest with the CPs at a matching ratio of approximately 1(Government): 2 (CP) in eligible local I&T start-ups. Details of the ITVF and brief information on the CPs are available on the ITVF website (www.itf.gov.hk/l-eng/ITVF.asp).