â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) jointly organised an Innovation and Technology (Biotech) Mission, comprising 15 delegates from 10 Japanese biotechnology companies, two Japanese venture capital firms and a Japanese startup incubator to visit Hong Kong from May 15 to 18 to understand Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) market and its investment environment.

     This is the second sectoral business mission from Japan in recent years, following a food and beverage mission successfully held in April 2023.

     The mission delegates joined the Asia Summit on Global Health organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council on May 16 and 17, and attended the deal-making session to conduct a number of business matching meetings with potential investors, investees and business partners.

     At the welcome dinner held on May 16, the Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang, said, "Hong Kong's strengths in scientific research, policy support, intellectual property protection, financial markets, and talent make the city an ideal place for life and health sciences development. We look forward to assisting more Mainland and foreign I&T companies to set up their base in Hong Kong,"

     On May 17, the delegates visited the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to attend a briefing session on the business environment and opportunities available in Hong Kong and a tour to the HKSTP's Japanese tenants’ lab and other facilities. The delegates then attended a networking dinner organised by InvestHK.

          

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Tai Yau Bank, Limited relating to a suspicious website, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Government Property Agency (GPA) is inviting tenders for a tenancy of Shop No. 321 on the Ground Floor, Passenger Clearance Building, 33 Shun Fai Road, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, Lantau, Hong Kong, for a three-year tenancy subject to the provisions for renewal for a further term of two years.

     The premises should only be used for general retail and/or services purposes (excluding the sale of cigarette, cigar or other tobacco products).

     The tender notice was uploaded today (May 21) to the GPA Property Portal: www.gpaproperty.gov.hk/en/index.html. Tender documents are available for collection at the Government Property Agency, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the GPA Property Portal.

     Interested tenderers who wish to attend a site inspection of the premises should make a prior appointment with the GPA by calling 3842 6916/3842 6915 on or before May 28.

     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box situated on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on June 11. Late tenders will not be accepted.

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, will depart for a visit to Belgium and France tonight (May 21), with a view to strengthening Hong Kong's ties and co-operation in areas such as innovation and technology (I&T) with the European Union and France.

     Professor Sun will attend VivaTech 2024 in Paris, France, and deliver a keynote speech at a seminar organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council on how global start-ups succeed in Asia through Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem. VivaTech, to be held from May 22 to 25, is Europe's largest technology and start-up event. It brings together start-ups, technology leaders, large corporations and investors to interact with each other on the challenges of the global technology landscape and accelerate the pace of innovation around the world.

     During his stay in Europe, Professor Sun will meet with local I&T leaders and technology enterprises, and visit local research institutions and start-up parks.

     Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong on May 26. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, will be the Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry from May 22 to 24 and on May 26, while the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, will take up the post of the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry on May 25 concurrently.

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 (May 21) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.