Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the Hong Kong Luncheon of “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” in Kuala Lumpur today (August 11):

YB Liew (Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia, Mr Liew Chin Tong), H.E. Ouyang Yujing (Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Ouyang Yujing), YB Sim (Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Sim Tze Tzin), Frederick (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Professor Frederick Ma), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon, and Selamat Tengah Hari.

     First of all, it is a true privilege to welcome you all to today’s Hong Kong Luncheon of “Think Business, Think Hong Kong”. This is my second visit to Kuala Lumpur this year, and I must say that I am, as always, deeply impressed by the energy, the dynamism, and the warmth of its people. From the bustling streets to the modern skyline, Kuala Lumpur truly embodies the spirit of a global hub for trade, innovation, and cultural exchanges.

     I look forward to the visits and events ahead in the coming days and am confident that through these engagements, we will explore more of the business opportunities this city has to offer, and strengthen the ties between our two economies.

     In the opening session of the symposium this morning, various speakers emphasised the robust and ever-growing bilateral trade and investment partnership between Malaysia and Hong Kong. Indeed, Malaysia is one of our largest trading partners within ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and Hong Kong continues to serve as a significant source of foreign direct investment into Malaysia. Since the signing of the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement in 2017, our outward investment into ASEAN has grown by 54 per cent, and the number of offices in Hong Kong with parent companies located in ASEAN has risen by 42 per cent. We also collaborate very closely with Malaysia in different multilateral trade bodies, notably the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the World Trade Organization, to pursue our common interests in trade and economic issues at the regional as well as global level.

     Building on that momentum, Hong Kong continues to offer unparalleled commercial value under the “one country, two systems” principle. With our common law framework, simple tax regime, free capital flow, and direct access to the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong serves as the “super connector” and “super value-adder” for Malaysian enterprises expanding across Asia, especially into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) which offers immense opportunities to overseas businesses.

     To further strengthen our role as the gateway to the GBA, we are proactively driving the development of the Northern Metropolis, a mega development area of 30 000 hectares which will become Hong Kong’s new economic engine. It houses a variety of strategic economic functions: a new innovation and technology ecosystem, high-end manufacturing and professional services, a world-class university town, and a global hub for investments, new industries and talent. To attract high-potential industries and strategic enterprises, we also proactively formulate preferential policy packages, which may cover land grant, land premium and tax incentive of as low as 5 per cent only, based on enterprises’ needs.

     Business is a two-way street. Today, we have gathered over 300 guests at the luncheon, bringing together Hong Kong and Malaysian government officials, influential corporate leaders, industry experts, association representatives and representatives of Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises. The purpose is clear: to listen, connect, and explore opportunities for collaboration and business growth. Let us take full advantage of today’s events to make new friends, and chart new paths.

     Terima kasih and thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The new measure of allowing dogs to enter permitted restaurants has been implemented for one month since July 9. A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (August 9) that during this one-month adaptation period, the overall operation was generally smooth with a satisfactory level of compliance. Members of the public and restaurants made their choices according to their preferences and needs, and have gradually adapted to the new arrangement.

The spokesman pointed out that the first phase of the new measure sets a quota of 1 000 restaurants, and the number of permitted restaurants has increased from about 940 at the beginning to over 980 at present, reflecting the steady and continuous implementation of the measure in responding to community aspirations. However, the FEHD reminded operators that before applying for allowing dogs to enter, they must carefully consider the market positioning, customer base, and operational conditions of their restaurants, and make sufficient preparations before implementation to achieve the intended outcomes. A waiting list mechanism is established under the policy to ensure that when individual restaurants decide to withdraw, the released quotas can be reallocated swiftly and in an orderly manner.

The spokesman added that it was within expectations that assistance from the department regarding compliance with relevant regulations would be needed in the initial stage of implementation. Following continuous inspections, publicity, and education by the department, individual non-compliant behaviors have been properly rectified. As the adaptation period ends today, the department will conduct flexible inspections based on risk assessments. If non-compliance is detected, enforcement action will be taken immediately without prior warning.

Over the past month, FEHD’s dedicated team continued to inspect restaurants across various districts to provide support to each permitted restaurants, as well as enhance the compliance awareness of them and customers through publicity and education. All parties were generally able to comply with the relevant regulations. As of August 8, dedicated officers have conducted about 29 600 inspections of permitted restaurants across various districts, issued a total of 77 verbal warnings, and taken enforcement actions against serious non-compliance behaviors, including issuing warning letters to licensees of three permitted restaurants for persistent non-compliance of cooking or heating food on dining tables, and instituting two prosecutions against failure to securely hold dogs on leashes. In addition, dedicated officers also proactively inspected non-permitted restaurants, and instituted prosecutions against six of them in breach of the regulation for allowing dogs to enter.

The FEHD emphasised that both restaurants and customers must abide by the law and regulations, and expressed hope that all parties will respect each other, earnestly fulfill their respective responsibilities, and jointly promote pet inclusivity.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

      The Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), Mr Felix Chan, led a delegation to visit New Zealand and Australia from July 29 to August 7 to attract local talent to pursue their careers in Hong Kong.

      The HKTE delegation met with representatives from five top 100 universities, namely the University of Auckland in New Zealand, Monash University and the University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia, as well as the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia. The delegation organised five promotional events, and participated in career fairs hosted by three of these universities to introduce various talent admission schemes as well as development opportunities and prospects in Hong Kong to students and alumni of the universities.

      HKTE also co-organised two start-up roundtable sessions with Invest Hong Kong in Melbourne and Sydney to present to local start-up representatives the entrepreneurship development and financing opportunities in Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and a talent engagement event with the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association in Auckland.

      In addition, HKTE invited a representative from the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation to join the delegation to outline industry development and opportunities in Hong Kong, as well as an Australian practising accountant who is also an innovation and technology entrepreneur, and a New Zealand talent living in Hong Kong, to share their experiences in starting a business, working and settling in the city.

      Mr Chan said that the visit focused on attracting talent in biotechnology and professional services sectors. HKTE will continue to attract professionals needed by Hong Kong and help them settle in the city, thereby supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for high-calibre talent.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (August 10) announced that the department collected seven liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis in July 2026 for laboratory tests. The results show that the LPG quality of all these samples complied with auto-LPG specifications.

The detailed test results are available on the EMSD’s website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/gas_safety/lpg_vehicle_scheme/publications/general/results_of_lpg_sample_analysis/index.html). Enquiries can also be made to the EMSD’s hotline on 2333 3762.

In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region