Le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie annonce le lancement du fonds de co-investissement Territoire d’Innovation Nouvelle-Calédonie entre la Banque des Territoires et Invest In Pacific, la plateforme d’investissement participatif spécialisée dans les Outremers.
Doté de 10 M€, ce fonds de co-investissement a pour objectif d’accompagner le développement des jeunes entreprises innovantes de la Nouvelle-Calédonie qui mettent au centre de leur modèle économique la valorisation de la biodiversité calédonienne.
La mise en place de ce fonds sera matérialisée par la signature d’une convention de coopération ce jeudi 26 juin à 14 heures en salle des délibérations du gouvernement (Ex CHT Gaston-Bourret) par l’ensemble des acteurs concernés : un représentant de l’État, Alcide Ponga, président du gouvernement, Jérémie Katidjo-Monnier – Pétélo Sao et Samuel Hnepeune, membres du gouvernement respectivement chargés de la biodiversité, de l’innovation technologique, de la valorisation des ressources naturelles, Vincent Boursier pour la Banque des Territoires et Nicolas Laurent pour Invest In Pacific.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Tik Chi-yuen and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
La Nouvelle-Calédonie connaît une crise économique sans précédent, notamment suite aux événements de mai 2024. Afin de redonner du pouvoir d’achat aux Calédoniens et de soutenir la consommation des ménages, un des principaux leviers de la croissance économique, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie s’est engagé par le biais de l’accord cadre « Conférence fiscale et sociale », signé le 12 mai dernier, à instaurer un nouvel accord interprofessionnel de modération des prix en 2025.
Cet accord sera signé ce jeudi 26 juin 2025 à 10h30 en salle des délibérations (EX CHT Gaston-Bourret) par Christopher Gygès, membre du gouvernement chargé de l’économie, et les représentants des industries locales de transformation, de l’importation, de la grande distribution et des petits commerces (SID NC – GPGSSNC – SCNC – les groupes SCIE & Carrefour Kenu In – FEINC).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine and suspected MDMA worth about $4.9 million at airport (with photo)
Hong Kong Customs today (June 24) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. About 10.4 kilograms of suspected ketamine and 2.1kg of suspected MDMA, with a total estimated market value of about $4.9 million, were seized.
A 27-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, Netherlands, today. During Customs clearance, the batches of suspected ketamine and suspected MDMA were found in his rucksack, carry-on travel bag and carry-on suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (June 25).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) hosted a reception today (June 24) for new establishments of international and Mainland businesses in Hong Kong. An occasion to thank businesses for their trust and support in Hong Kong’s business environment, the event attracted nearly 350 senior representatives from companies worldwide. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, officiated at the ceremony, reaffirming Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” connecting the Mainland and the rest of the world. He also encouraged companies to seize the myriad opportunities in Hong Kong to expand globally.
In his keynote speech, Mr Lee said that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the advantages of being connected to both the Mainland and the rest of the world, offering an open and easy place to do business, a long and established tradition of the rule of law, and a simple and low tax regime. Mr Lee highlighted that as the world’s freest economy and one of the world’s top three international financial centres, Hong Kong’s global competitiveness has risen two places to rank third globally in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025, marking the second consecutive year of such advancement from its seventh place two years ago. In the recent World Investment Report released by the United Nations Trade and Development, the city has moved up to the third place in terms of foreign direct investment inflows. Mr Lee said that the Government will continue to co-ordinate the practical needs of enterprises across different sectors, enabling them to develop their business overseas through Hong Kong’s multinational supply chain management centre and explore new strategic blue oceans for development.
This year, the reception not only expressed appreciation to the attending companies for their contributions to Hong Kong, but was also held to mark a significant milestone – the 25th anniversary of InvestHK. The department premiered its 25th anniversary video, celebrating its achievements and economic impact over the past quarter century, in the presence of Mr Lee; the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Ms Maggie Wong, and other distinguished guests.
The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, thanked InvestHK’s clients, partners, stakeholders, and other government bureaux and departments for their staunch support. She said, “For a quarter-century, we have helped international companies from around the world establish, grow, thrive here and beyond, to Mainland China and Asia. We are also the launchpad for Mainland companies to go global. InvestHK actively promotes two-way foreign direct investment between China and the rest of the world, using Hong Kong as a platform. Looking forward, we will continue to connect markets, empower growth, and create long-term value through two-way investment.”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
iFLYTEK and Xunfei Healthcare launches Hong Kong office to drive AI innovation ecosystem (with photo) The Director-General of OASES, Mr Peter Yan, attended the inauguration ceremony and stated, “iFLYTEK – Xunfei Healthcare has achieved remarkable success in the field of AI. Its technological applications are closely aligned with Hong Kong’s direction for I&T development. The company’s decision to establish its international headquarters and research institute in Hong Kong will contribute significantly to the development of the local industry chains such as AI and models. With particular regard to smart healthcare, it is expected to enhance the efficiency and quality of healthcare services, ultimately benefitting a broader patient population. OASES will continue to support strategic enterprises in expanding their presence in Hong Kong and help build the city into a globally competitive I&T hub.”
The Chairman of the Board of iFLYTEK Co Ltd, Dr Liu Qingfeng, stated, “With its world-class scientific research infrastructure and vibrant innovation ecosystem, Hong Kong provides an ideal regional strategic base for iFLYTEK – Xunfei Healthcare. Going forward, we will deepen collaborations with local universities and institutions to strengthen technology exchange and broaden applications. We also plan to actively expand into Southeast Asia, ‘Belt and Road’ markets, and other overseas regions to promote AI technology on a global scale.”
iFLYTEK – Xunfei Healthcare continues to drive breakthroughs through innovative algorithms and has achieved significant results in various fields, including smart education, smart healthcare, and intelligent office solutions. ??? For more information about iFLYTEK – Xunfei Healthcare, please visit: www.iflytek.comIssued at HKT 19:58
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
123 arrested in ImmD anti-illegal worker focused operations The ImmD has long been highly vigilant against the problem of illegal employment and has taken vigorous and effective enforcement actions. In the past month and a half, the ImmD has mounted intelligence-led focused operations against illegal employment in the catering, cleaning and renovation industries. From May 19 to June 23, ImmD investigators conducted raids at 815 targeted locations across various districts in Hong Kong, resulting in the arrest of 89 illegal workers, 31 employers and three aiders and abettors. During an operation targeting the catering industry, ImmD investigators employed strategies including decoy operations at targeted restaurants, and conducted focused investigations at popular gathering spots for food delivery riders across multiple districts. A total of 60 illegal workers related to the catering industry were arrested, including dishwashers, kitchen workers, waiters, waitresses and food delivery riders. Furthermore, the ImmD conducted operations at housing estates and premises under renovation across various districts, arresting 14 illegal workers engaged in renovation and cleaning work.
The arrested illegal workers, aged between 21 and 67, comprised 45 non-ethnic Chinese persons (21 men and 24 women, including 14 men and nine women holding recognisance forms prohibiting them from taking any employment) and 44 Mainlanders (12 men and 32 women). Among the illegal workers arrested, 18 persons were suspected of using and being in possession of forged Hong Kong identity cards, while three persons were suspected of using and being in possession of another person’s identity card. Additionally, 34 Hong Kong residents (18 men and 16 women) were arrested for suspected involvement in employing illegal workers or aiding and abetting others in breaching their conditions of stay in Hong Kong.
Among the arrested illegal workers, 58 persons have been prosecuted for offences under the Immigration Ordinance, including breach of conditions of stay, using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card, and taking employment while being an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land. Among them, 46 persons have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 54 days to 22 months. The enforcement actions are ongoing, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests or prosecutions.
The spokesman said that the ImmD will continue to combat illegal employment activities. The ImmD is committed to combating illegal employment by illegal immigrants, visitors, foreign domestic helpers, and imported workers bound by specific employment conditions in order to protect the local labour market. If illegal activities are suspected, citizens may contact the ImmD’s dedicated hotline (2824 1551), email (anti_crime@immd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​An interior designer and a contractor were fined $260,000 in total at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (June 24), for contravention of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO).
​The case involved the removal of part of a structural wall in a unit at The Capitol, Lohas Park, between 2022 and 2023. An investigation by the Buildings Department (BD) found that the interior designer and the contractor responsible for the renovation of the unit concerned knowingly carried out the works without prior approval and consent from the BD, thereby contravening section 40(1AA) of the BO. Moreover, the removal of part of the structural wall by the contractor was carried out in such a manner as was likely to cause a risk of injury to any person or damage to any property, thereby contravening section 40(2B)(b) of the BO. Hence, the BD instigated prosecution action under the BO against the interior designer and the contractor in May last year. The interior designer and the contractor were convicted and fined $60,000 and $200,000 respectively at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court today.
​In addition, the BD has also instigated prosecution action against the owner of the concerned unit for contravening sections 40(1AA) and 40(2B)(b) of the BO. The hearing is adjourned to August 28.
​A spokesman for the BD said that any person who intends to carry out alteration and addition works should consult building professionals for advice, including the feasibility of the works, and where necessary, apply for approval and consent from the BD to ensure building safety and compliance with the Buildings Ordinance (BO). Building professionals and contractors are required to carefully examine the approved plans and other relevant documents to observe the relevant requirements under the BO, and to ascertain whether prior approval from the BD should be obtained before commencement of the works to ensure the safety of the occupants and the structural safety of the building.
​Pursuant to section 40(1AA) of the BO, any person who knowingly contravenes section 14(1) of the BO (i.e. commences or carries out any building works without having first obtained approval and consent from the BD) shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine of $400,000 and to imprisonment for two years, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
​Pursuant to section 40(2B)(b) of the BO, any person directly concerned with the relevant building works, who carries out or authorises or permits such works to be carried out, in such manner that it is likely to cause a risk of injury to any person or damage to any property, shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine of $1,000,000 and to imprisonment for three years.
[PRESS RELEASE] – Since Monday 9th June and until Friday 13th , more than sixty heads of state and government, including many leaders from the Pacific and Latin America, are meeting in Nice, on the French Riviera, for the 3rd United Nation Ocean Conference (UNOC3) aimed at better protecting an overheated, polluted and overfished ocean. This UNOC3 is co-chaired by France and Costa Rica.
The Samoan delegation is led by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa. Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Toeolesulusulu Cedric Pose Salesa Schuster is accompanying the Prime Minister.
Independently, the Apia-based Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has sent an important delegation to Nice.
This conference will lead to the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan that will consist of a political declaration and a list of voluntary commitments from all stakeholders.
The priorities of this Conference were set out by the President of the French Republic at the “SOS Ocean” event in Paris on March 31 and include the entry into force of the International Agreement for the Protection of the High Seas and Marine Biodiversity (the so-called “BBNJ” Agreement), the decision to at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 (Global Biodiversity Framework target 30×30), a declaration to fight against plastic pollution and the promotion of sustainable fisheries respectful of ecosystems, for our global food sovereignty.
Decarbonisation of maritime transport and supporting science and research to better understand the ocean are additional goals of this conference.
In his opening address, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that” While the Earth is warming, the ocean is boiling” He called for “mobilization”;, explaining that “The first response is therefore multilateralism,”.
“The climate, like biodiversity, is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of scientifically established facts,” he also insisted. Later on, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also took this view, denouncing “the threat of unilateralism” hanging over the oceans: “We cannot allow what happened to international trade to happen to the sea,” declared President Lula, calling for “clear action” from the International Seabed Authority, while Donald Trump plans to unilaterally authorize the industrial exploitation of minerals at the bottom of the Pacific.
President Macron also insisted that Greenland, which he is due to visit at the end of the week but is coveted by Donald Trump’s United States, was “not for sale.”
“The abyss is not for sale, and no more than Greenland is for sale, nor is Antarctica or the high seas for sale,” the French president declared.
Shortly after, UN Secretary General, who visited Samoa in 2024, declared that the deep seabed must not become a “Far West.” “I hope we can turn this around. That we can replace plunder with protection,” Mr Gutteres added.
Mr. Macron also assured that the High Seas and Marine Biodiversity (the so-called “BBNJ” Agreement) would be ratified by enough countries to enter into force. “In addition to the fifty ratifications already submitted here in the last few hours, fifteen countries have formally committed to joining them,” Emmanuel Macron declared.
Samoa is one of them. “This means that the political agreement has been reached, which allows us to say that this High Seas Treaty will be properly implemented. So it’s a done deal,” he added, without specifying a timeline. The treaty, signed in 2023, will enter into force 120 days after the sixtieth ratification. France initially hoped to obtain these sixty ratifications by the Nice conference.
Finally, several countries could also use the Nice summit to announce the creation of new marine protected areas or the banning of certain fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, in some of them.
France announced on Saturday, through Emmanuel Macron, a limitation of bottom trawling in its marine protected areas (MPAs) to preserve the seabed, but failed to convince NGOs, who criticized the “lack of ambition” of these announcements.
Many side events are also taking place during this week during this largest conference ever organized for the protection of the oceans.
Prime Minister Fiame addressed the audience in her capacity of a leader of an island country that is a victim of climate change, in particular the sea rise. Samoa has taken very strong decision recently in favour of the protection of the environment. And sent a good signal before the UN Conference of Nice, in adopting on 6 June its Marine Spatial Plan, a milestone step to fully protect 30 per cent (%) and ensure sustainable management of 100 per cent (%) of its vast ocean 120,000-square-kilometer ocean territory.
Doing such, Samoa became one of the first Pacific Island nations to adopt a legally binding plan.
Schools have the responsibility to play a good gate-keeper role and enhance the sensitivity of teachers and students to national security, the Education Bureau said today in response to media enquiries.
Whilst safeguarding national security is the Government’s responsibility as well as the obligation of the whole community of Hong Kong, the bureau noted that safeguarding national security is also part and parcel of the routine school work in promoting national security education.
The bureau also said it has adopted a “multipronged and co-ordinated” approach to strengthen students’ understanding of Chinese culture, the Constitution and the Basic Law, and their awareness of law-abiding in promoting patriotic education.
Detailed administrative and educational guidelines have been issued to schools, requiring them to establish school-based mechanisms and formulate appropriate measures according to their own circumstances and needs to implement various tasks related to safeguarding national security and national security education.
In addition, the bureau provided schools with an updated “National Security: School Self-evaluation Checklist” in April, which sets out suggestions of refinement and good practices of different areas of work, covering national security work planning, monitoring mechanisms, learning and teaching and related resources, school activities, personnel management and training, and home-school co-operation, in order to effectively prevent and suppress acts and activities that endanger or are detrimental to national security.
The bureau remarked that schools offering non-local curricula also have the responsibility to help their students, regardless of their ethnicity and nationality, acquire a correct and objective understanding and appreciation of the concept of national security and the National Security Law as well as the duty to cultivate a law-abiding spirit among their students. It elaborated that these schools should devise and continuously review relevant strategies and measures in light of their school-based circumstances and needs, with a view to maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment and promoting students’ effective learning and healthy development.