Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee announced in his 2025 Policy Address that the Government will support the local economy by helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and promoting economic diversification.

Mr Lee explained that the measures to enhance support for SMEs are aimed to better cope with the city’s economic restructuring.

“Hong Kong is home to some 360,000 SMEs, and they are the pillars of our economic development.“

He outlined that the Government will extend the application period for the 80% Guarantee Product under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme for two years, and further extend the principal moratorium arrangement for one year.

To alleviate pressure on business operations, the Government will reduce water and sewage charges for non-domestic accounts by 50%, subject to a monthly ceiling of $10,000 and $5,000 respectively per account. About 260,000 non-domestic accounts are expected to benefit from the measure.

It will also reduce the trade effluent surcharge by 50%, which is expected to benefit about 35,000 businesses mainly in the catering industry. In addition, fees for the first issue or renewal of licences and permits, including those for hawkers, food businesses, agriculture and fisheries industries and liquor licences will be waived, which is expected to benefit over 60,000 licensees. These measures will be implemented for one year.

Considering that the original estimate for the Government’s average annual capital works expenditure in the coming five years was about $120 billion, Mr Lee said the Government will earmark an additional $30 billion in the next two to three years to increase expenditure on works projects driving sustained economic development, to support the local construction industry.

In addition, the Government will streamline the restaurant licensing regime and expedite the approval process of applications for outside seating accommodation of restaurants.

Mr Lee said: “The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will adopt a new way by proactively co-ordinating various relevant departments to undergo ‘joint-vetting’ to resolve the matter together, and when necessary, escalate the process regarding complicated applications to the relevant Permanent Secretary or even the Deputy Chief Secretary for steer.

Additionally, the Government will inject $1.43 billion into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading & Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) and expand its geographical scope to cover eight more economies, including Belt & Road countries. The Government will also enhance promotion and facilitate the participation of companies in exhibitions and export marketing activities through “Easy BUD” .

The Government will also increase financing support for local e-commerce businesses and expand the coverage of free buyer credit checks through the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation.

To encourage local SMEs and startups to conduct more overseas visits exploring business opportunities, while bringing in more enterprises to invest in and establish businesses in Hong Kong, a functional platform “Economic & Trade Express” will be set up with the joint efforts of Economic & Trade Offices and overseas offices of Invest Hong Kong and the Trade Development Council.

Other SMEs support measures include enhancing Cyberport’s Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme, implementing the “Creativity • E commerce – Beyond Limits” programme and providing one stop business matching and referral services, as well as launching a two-year pilot scheme to support local small and medium innovation and technology enterprises with patent evaluation.

On promoting economic diversification, Mr Lee said the Government will strengthen the competitiveness of local produce by introducing a unified brand for local agricultural and fisheries products in mid-2026 to enhance product awareness and brand value.

The Government will also issue culture licences for new fish culture zones and provide deep‑sea cages for rental by the fisheries industry, to increase local mariculture production by tenfold within 15 years.

Meanwhile, the Government will facilitate the livestock sector to construct the first environmentally-friendly, multi-storey pig farm, in Lo Wu. It will also take forward the Agricultural Park Phase 2 development, and promote leisure farming and fisheries.

The Chief Executive also announced the introduction of a licensing arrangement allowing operators to let dogs enter their food premises to promote a pet-friendly culture.

“According to government statistics, more than 240,000 households in Hong Kong keep more than 400,000 cats and dogs as pets, generating an enormous consumption market, including food and products, healthcare, insurance, grooming, training and more.

“Pet-friendly restaurants will create new business opportunities for the industry.”

Clear signage will be put up by permitted restaurants, so that customers know dogs are allowed.

Turning to labour support and protection, Mr Lee said the Government will ensure the employment priority of local workers and combat illegal employment rigorously.

He highlighted that to combat abuse of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), starting from tomorrow, when applying to import waiters or waitresses and junior cooks under the ESLS, employers are required to extend the local recruitment process from four weeks to six weeks, during which they must once a week attend an on-site job fair organised by the Labour Department.

The manning ratio requirement will also be more stringent. An employer applying to import a waiter or waitress and a junior cook must have already employed two local full-time waiters or waitresses and two local full-time junior cooks.

Mr Lee added that the Government will step up efforts to combat illegal employment, establish a dedicated hotline for reporting illegal workers, and strengthen intelligence collection and inter-departmental joint enforcement operations to safeguard the employment opportunities of local workers.

Moreover, the Government will improve the work injury compensation mechanism for digital platform workers through legislation in view of the prevalence of digital platforms.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Chief Executive announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address” today (September 17) that the application period for the 80 per cent Guarantee Product under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS) will be extended for two years to the end of March 2028. The total loan guarantee commitment under the SFGS will be further increased by HK$20 billion to HK$310 billion, and the principal moratorium arrangement will be extended for one year.
 
     The application period for principal moratorium arrangement, which is originally due for expiry on November 17, 2025, will be extended to November 17, 2026.
 
     HKMC Insurance Limited will follow up with the participating lenders to implement the following arrangements:

(1) Eligible borrowing enterprises may apply to the participating lenders for a principal moratorium period of up to 12 months on or before November 17, 2025, and/or apply to the participating lenders for a principal moratorium period of up to 12 months between November 18, 2025 and November 17, 2026. This means that the principal moratorium period can be up to 24 months in total; and

(2) For loans newly drawn down on or after November 18, 2025, eligible borrowing enterprises may apply to the participating lenders on or before November 17, 2026 for a principal moratorium period of up to 12 months.  

     Borrowing enterprises can contact their participating lenders to inquire about specific arrangements starting from November 1, 2025.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
The Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Mr Tim Lui, said today (September 17) that he welcomed the Chief Executive’s announcement of measures in the 2025 Policy Address on further developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education, which demonstrate the integrated development of education, technology and talent. The UGC will collaborate closely with the eight UGC-funded universities to take forward various relevant initiatives.
 
Mr Lui said, “UGC-funded universities are widely recognised in the global academic community, underscoring the success of the Government’s sustained investment in higher education and academic research over the years. This also reflects our solid foundation and unique strengths in becoming a premier international hub for post-secondary education. The initiatives set out in the Policy Address will further attract top talent from around the globe and broaden students’ global outlook.”
 
As announced in the Policy Address, the enrolment ceiling for self-financing non-local students in taught programmes, namely, undergraduate degrees, sub-degrees and taught postgraduate degrees, at UGC-funded universities will be further raised from the current level equivalent to 40 per cent of local student places to 50 per cent, effective from the 2026/27 academic year. Universities may progressively increase their intake of non-local students based on their individual circumstances.
 
The Chief Executive has also announced that starting from the 2026/27 academic year, the over-enrolment ceiling of UGC-funded research postgraduate programmes will be further increased from 100 per cent to 120 per cent.
 
Mr Lui said he believes that these two initiatives will help attract more talented students to pursue their studies and research in Hong Kong, thereby building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent and strengthening the city’s research capabilities. Drawing together high-calibre talent will empower Hong Kong’s universities to drive innovation and contribute more substantially to the country’s development and the global academic landscape.
 
Mr Lui also expressed appreciation for the Government’s establishment of the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong as part of the continued efforts to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. He highlighted key initiatives such as rolling out “Study Tour in Hong Kong” activities, increasing the supply of student hostels, and providing funding for universities to enhance promotional efforts in other regions. These measures will play a vital role in attracting more high-calibre faculty and students from around the globe. Such initiatives not only strengthen Hong Kong’s global visibility as a destination for quality higher education but also foster cross-cultural exchanges, enrich the academic environment, and support the city’s long-term development as an international education hub.
 
Mr Lui continued, “The Research Grants Council will organise its first Research Summit by the end of 2025. In addition, Hong Kong will be hosting the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition in 2026. We are excited for the opportunity to gather talent across the globe and solidify Hong Kong’s role as a global education hub. Looking forward, our higher education sector shall continue to attract quality talent from around the world and nurture local talent through various measures to leverage Hong Kong’s strengths to serve the country’s needs. Together with the UGC-funded universities, we shall grasp the development opportunities offered by the country to push forward with Hong Kong’s education development and deepen global academic and cultural exchanges.”

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai meets Israel-Taiwan parliamentary friendship group Chair Boaz Toporovsky
On the afternoon of September 16, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Israel-Taiwan parliamentary friendship group Chair Boaz Toporovsky. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Israeli Knesset (parliament) for staunchly backing Taiwan’s international participation. The president expressed hope that the two sides can together deepen collaboration in such areas as semiconductors, ICT, digital security, and emerging defense technologies, and jointly expand their presence in the global market to strengthen supply chain resilience for a more prosperous future.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I extend a warm welcome to Chair Toporovsky, who is visiting Taiwan once again. Chair Toporovsky is an important advocate for the deepening of Taiwan-Israel relations. In addition to leading three cross-party delegations to Taiwan, in July he initiated a joint statement in the Knesset backing Taiwan’s international participation. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to thank Chair Toporovsky and the distinguished members of the delegation for taking concrete action to demonstrate their staunch support.
There are many similarities between Taiwan and Israel. In dealing with complex geopolitical environments, we both deeply understand that national security cannot rely on military defense alone; the power of technology and innovation must also be harnessed so as to enhance overall national resilience. Taiwan and Israel hold regular dialogues on the economy, trade, technology, and agriculture. We have also signed 34 cooperation agreements and continue to deepen exchanges. In addition, through the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, Taiwan and Israel have provided further support for the global democratic community in such areas as the prevention of cross-border crime, as well as the digital economy and national security.
This Saturday, the Presidential Office’s Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee will hold an international forum, with Israeli organization Magen David Adom invited to share its experience in combat casualty care. This fully demonstrates how Taiwan and Israel are determined to jointly bolster societal resilience for the protection of people’s lives.
When serving as mayor of Tainan, I was invited to Israel to attend the International Mayors Conference. Israel is known as a nation of start-ups, and the diversity, innovation, and resilience I witnessed there left a lasting impression. As AI and other advanced technologies progress rapidly around the world, I hope Taiwan can utilize its advantage as a global semiconductor hub and learn from Israel’s experiences in start-up research and development. Together, we can deepen collaboration in such areas as semiconductors, ICT, digital security, and emerging defense technologies. Jointly expanding our presence in the global market, we can also strengthen supply chain resilience.
I once again welcome our guests to Taiwan. I look forward to more frequent exchanges and diverse cooperation between Taiwan and Israel as we join hands in building a more prosperous future.
Chair Toporovsky then delivered remarks, stating that it is an honor as the head of the Israel-Taiwan parliamentary friendship group to express the deep gratitude of the Israeli people and present the joint declaration to support democratic Taiwan’s participation in the international arena. He noted that the delegation represents the 72 members that signed the declaration, which is a majority of the members of the Knesset.
Chair Toporovsky continued on to say that he speaks with a painful heart, as 48 Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza. It has been 708 days since October 7, he said, and the families of the hostages continue to endure endless nights of pain and uncertainty. Saying that he and the delegation carry them in their hearts every moment, the chair stated that they have also come with great gratitude for the people of Taiwan, who have shown Israel the true meaning of friendship.
Chair Toporovsky stated that on October 7, the lives of the survivors were destroyed, and with Taiwan’s help, they are starting to rebuild their lives. One example, he noted, is a resilience center in Kibbutz Palmahim that Taiwan helped build, showing steadfast support. The center has already provided help to over 1000 survivors, he said. This is not only aid, the chair said, but humanity and friendship at their best, showing that Taiwan and Israel share more than mutual interests, but the same values of freedom, democracy, and human dignity.
Chair Toporovsky stated that in a world of uncertainty, we are proof that good people with great courage can stand tall together. He said that he and the delegation are confident that our partnership will only continue to grow stronger, noting that we can cooperate in technology, innovation, humanitarian efforts, and education, above all believing in justice and liberty. To close, the chair thanked Taiwan on behalf of the people of Israel for standing with them and for being a true ally, saying they will always remember their friends and expressing hope that our bond will grow stronger and stronger every day.
The delegation also included Members of the Knesset Michal Shir Segman, Debbie Biton, Shalom Danino, Eli Dallal, and Yael Ron Ben Moshe, and was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Representative of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei Maya Yaron.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today announced in his 2025 Policy Address that the Government will set up the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) to encourage Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong in expanding their businesses overseas. 

Hong Kong will fully integrate into the overall national development, capitalising on national strategies such as the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and high‑quality co‑operation under the Belt & Road (B&R) Initiative.

The Government will capitalise on the advantages of Hong Kong as an export platform to unlock new areas for economic growth.

Mr Lee said Mainland enterprises going global can establish Corporate Treasury Centres (CTCs) and regional headquarters in Hong Kong for cross‑boundary settlement, remittance, financing and related functions.

They can also tap Hong Kong’s professional high value‑added supply chain services in fields such as accounting and law to help them explore overseas markets. 

In addition, they can leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in marketing to connect with global buyers and build international brands.

The Government will also establish a one‑stop platform by mobilising Hong Kong’s overseas offices, including those under InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, as well as Hong Kong offices in the Mainland, and set up the GoGlobal Task Force. 

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development will steer the work of GoGlobal Task Force and co‑ordinate various bureaus, departments and agencies in formulating proposals for enterprises looking to go global. 

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) will encourage the banking sector, especially banks in the Mainland, to establish regional headquarters in Hong Kong, where Hong Kong’s strengths can help them expand into markets such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

To attract more Mainland enterprises to establish CTCs in Hong Kong, the Government will complete a study on tax concessionary measures to be further enhanced in the first half of 2026.

The HKMA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to establish a US$1 billion new investment fund, catering to enterprises in Hong Kong and other GBA cities looking to expand into Saudi Arabia.

The HKMA will also collaborate with organisations such as the Hong Kong Association of Banks, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries to lead delegations of banking representatives and small and medium enterprises to explore business opportunities in Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam, pooling industry strengths to support the going global platform.

Meanwhile, the Government will leverage the strengths of Hong Kong’s exhibition industry and consolidate the city’s position as the ideal platform for Mainland brands to go global and for bringing in brands from around the world.  It will also support the trade to organise more events conducive to brand development.

Mr Lee added that the Government will promote the development of carbon audit services to assist enterprises going global to meet international requirements and standards on green trade in respect of carbon emission reduction.

Regarding deepening international exchanges and co‑operation, Mr Lee said the Government will actively invite the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to set up an office in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing will deepen co‑operation with Southeast Asian exchanges, attracting Southeast Asian issuers to seek secondary listings in Hong Kong and encouraging asset management companies to issue products in their local markets.

The B&R Office will co‑ordinate local public organisations and institutes to help train the personnel of B&R countries. It will also strive for more opportunities to match commercial projects in B&R markets with Hong Kong professional service sectors.

In addition, Hong Kong supports the country to promote the participation in green co‑operation with B&R countries. The Environmental Protection Department will set up a B&R sustainable green development training centre in Hong Kong next year, providing training courses for the personnel of B&R countries. 

The Government will also invite members of the Silk Road Maritime Association to hold a summit during Hong Kong Maritime Week next year, promoting its participation in the B&R shipping brand.

This year and next, the Government will organise a number of international conferences, forums and exhibitions, establish the Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy, and participate in and promote innovation and technology collaboration with various international and regional organisations.

The Government will also support local universities and professional organisations in their bids to host more international academic and professional conferences and publish influential academic journals. 

The Chief Executive added that the Government will continue to deepen co‑operation with Guangdong and Macau, forging closer convergence of respective rules and mechanisms to enhance the flow of people, goods, data and capital.

The relevant measures include developing the Hong Kong International Airport Dongguan Logistics Park, continuously enhancing the Payment Connect, thereby expanding to use cases for remittance related to people’s livelihood, etc.

Hong Kong will also work with exchanges in the GBA to develop commodity trading, carbon trading and other businesses. 

The Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau is working with Shenzhen and Qianhai to promote digital finance development and support deeper integration of technology and finance between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.  Measures are expected to be announced later this year.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hongkong Post announced today (September 17) that, as advised by an airline, the import and export cargo handling services and customs clearance previously affected by the relocation of Phnom Penh International Airport has resumed. Mail delivery services to Cambodia have returned to normal.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government will continue its work on targeted poverty alleviation by directing resources to those most in need with a series of corresponding measures in the 2025 Policy Address delivered by Chief Executive John Lee.

Activities of the Strive & Rise Alumni Club will be enriched, providing young people with training and experience that integrate Hong Kong pop culture and traditional Chinese arts. The Government will inject $180 million into the Child Development Fund to implement projects promoting the long-term development of primary students from disadvantaged communities, and enhance different elements of the projects by drawing on the successful experience of the Strive & Rise Programme with a view to reducing intergenerational poverty.

Six additional Community Living Rooms (CLRs) will be set up. Together with the nine CLRs, they are expected to benefit about 7,000 subdivided unit households.

Meanwhile, time-limited cash incentives will be provided on a pilot basis for households leaving the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme (CSSA) and eligible for the Working Family Allowance to promote the self-reliance of these households.

The Report on Impact of Targeted Poverty Alleviation Strategy in Hong Kong will be published in mid 2026.

As regards care for the elderly, the Government will provide about 700 new subsidised residential care service places and increase the number of Residential Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly by 1,000 to a total of 7,000. The number of Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly will also rise by 4,000 to 16,000. Three new Neighbourhood Elderly Centres will be set up to strengthen support at the district level. 

A pilot scheme will be launched by the end of this year to subsidise elderly CSSA recipients retiring in Guangdong to reside in designated residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) in the province. Eligible seniors will each receive a monthly subsidy of $5,000, subject to a quota of 1,000.

The Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong will also be expanded. Starting in October, the number of Mainland RCHEs participating in the scheme will increase from 15 to 24, while the number of cities covered will rise from six to eight.

Noting that carers play an important role in supporting the elderly and people with disabilities, the Chief Executive said the Government will earmark an annual recurrent expenditure of $500 million to roll out measures to support them.

Among these measures is the District Services & Community Care Teams – Scheme on Supporting Elderly & Carers, which will continue to be implemented for three years, under which care teams provide support to high-risk families and assist households in installing an emergency alarm system as necessary. The Support for Carers Project will also continue to be implemented for three years.

The Policy Address also outlined measures in support of people in rehabilitation. The Government will collaborate with university teams to formulate guidelines for consumers of rehabilitation products, with electric wheelchairs, electric smart beds and robotic exoskeletons as pilot items, setting out the basic requirements of these products to assist the users and their carers in selecting suitable products.

Moreover, the Government will add places at care homes and hostels for people with special needs, including the extra 80 places for the Bought Place Scheme for Private Residential Care Homes for People with Disabilities, the additional 220 places at special child care centres, the extra 100 places at day activity centres, and the additional 50 places at hostels for severely mentally handicapped persons.

As people with disabilities face additional challenges in their daily life, Mr Lee said that from the second quarter of 2026, the Government will introduce one-stop support and care services at hostels for the severely and moderately mentally handicapped, and increase the number of extended care places at hostels co-located with day activity centres/integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres.

Such measures will release about 700 day rehabilitation training places, providing day training for people with disabilities living in the community and alleviating the burden of carers, he added.