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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government today (September 10) announced the reappointments of Mr Anthony Chan Yin-chung, Mr Sam Lin Ching-sum and Ms Rainie Pan Hailin as members of the Steering Committee on Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) for a new term until December 31, 2028. 

The Government set up the CITF in 2018 to boost the capacities of enterprises and practitioners in the construction industry in adopting new technology, and to support the industry in applying innovative technology. This year, the Government has further injected $1 billion into the CITF, which, together with a $0.4 billion contribution from the Construction Industry Council, makes up a total of $1.4 billion to continue driving wider adoption of innovative construction methods and new technologies in the construction industry, especially by small and medium enterprises.

The Steering Committee, comprising members of various sectors in the industry, advises the Government on the implementation of the CITF. The full membership of the Steering Committee is as follows:

Chairperson
——————
Permanent Secretary for Development (Works)

Members 
——————
Mr Chan Che-bun
Mr Anthony Chan Yin-chung
Mr Kenneth Cheung Tat-fai
Ms Rachel Chow Ka-wing
Mr Alex Kwan King-fai
Mr Kwok Yim
Mr John Kwong Ka-sing
Dr Barry Lee Chi-hong
Mr Dick Li Tak-hong
Mr Sam Lin Ching-sum
Ms Rainie Pan Hailin
Mr Ringo Shea Tat-chi
Mr Gilman Wan Tsz-kin
Chairperson of the Management Committee on CITF
Executive Director of the Construction Industry Council
Director of Buildings 
Deputy Director of Housing (Development and Construction)

Secretary
——————
Principal Assistant Secretary (Works) 1, Development Bureau

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A male owner of a wedding decoration company was sentenced to 240 hours of community service today (September 10) after his conviction for engaging in wrongly accepting payments in the sale of services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), on July 31 at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts. The male owner was also ordered by the court to make compensation of about $45,000 to the victims of the case.
 
Hong Kong Customs earlier received numerous reports alleging that a wedding decoration company in San Po Kong suddenly suspended its business in May 2025, failing to provide prepaid wedding decoration services purchased by customers and to arrange refunds.
 
After an investigation, Customs found that the company involved had been experiencing financial difficulties. Nevertheless, while the company was about to cease business, the male owner continued to accept payments for prepaid wedding decoration services from customers and ultimately failed to provide the services.
 
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services at reputable shops and think prudently before making decisions on consumption with prepayment.

Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if, at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO 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 Information Services

The Government today announced that a joint recruitment exercise for graduate grade civil servants will be held from September 12 to October 2.

The exercise aims to fill various positions across six grades, comprising 40 Administrative Officers (AOs), 100 Executive Officers II, 10 Assistant Information Officers (General), four Assistant Trade Officers II, 14 Management Services Officers II and 11 Transport Officers II.

Permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region who meet the entry requirements are eligible to apply. The recruitment is also open to university students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and are graduating in either the 2026-27 or 2027-28 academic year.

Further details regarding the joint recruitment exercise, alongside the online application system, will be accessible on the Civil Service Bureau’s (CSB) website from this Saturday. Information specifically concerning the AO vacancies will also be provided on a dedicated website.

Applicants seeking appointment to any of the six posts must take the Basic Law & National Security Law Test and secure a pass result in order to be considered for appointment.

All applications must be submitted online via the CSB website. Candidates are advised to check the webpage regularly for the latest updates on examination arrangements.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced the establishment of the “Steering Committee on the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Academy Pilot Programme”, along with the appointments of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and members to the committee.

The appointments, on two-year terms, will take effect on October 1.

As outlined in the 2026-27 Budget, the Intellectual Property Department and the Vocational Training Council are collaborating to establish the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Academy. The academy is scheduled to officially open in the fourth quarter of this year.

By providing more systematic and recognised on-the-job intellectual property (IP) training programmes for a wider workforce, the Academy aims to expand Hong Kong’s IP talent pool and accelerate its development as a regional IP trading centre.

The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau highlighted that talent is crucial to the sustained growth of Hong Kong’s IP ecosystem. By bringing together the expertise of government representatives, industry stakeholders and cross-sector professionals, the newly formed committee will advise on the pilot programme’s development and implementation, ensuring that its training directly addresses industry needs.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To expand overseas market reach, the International Trade Administration (TITA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) partnered with domestic industry associations to stage a flagship Taiwan Pavilion at the JAPAN DIY HOMECENTER SHOW. As Japan’s largest hardware and DIY trade exhibition, it was held August 27-29 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

Featuring 51 Taiwanese companies across home improvement, hardware, home security, and plumbing supplies, the pavilion helped establish Taiwan as the event’s third-largest international contingent and generate an estimated US$45 million in business opportunities.

In partnership with the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC), TITA established an interactive “Scenario Experience Zone” that highlighted practical solutions for home repair and sustainable living. In addition, an integrated “Digital Zone” utilized digital technology to showcase products and matchmaking services for domestic manufacturers, such as hand tool, fastener, and plumbing suppliers, thereby expanding visibility for firms unable to attend in person.

To facilitate connections with buyers, TITA hosted product launches, B2B matchmaking sessions, and a “Taiwan Night” networking reception, while collaborating with prominent Japanese DIY creators to amplify brand visibility across digital channels.

Renowned as the “Kingdom of Hand Tools,” Taiwan consistently ranks among the world’s top three exporters in the sector, generating nearly US$4 billion annually. In response to structural growth in DIY trends, an aging demographic, and rising demand for disaster-preparedness and eco-friendly products in Japan, TITA continues to help domestic manufacturers promote value-added goods and vie for high-end retail orders.

Looking ahead, the MOEA will actively utilize economic resilience funding to support Taiwanese businesses worldwide. Following the Japan DIY exhibition, flagship Taiwan pavilions will roll out at premier global trade shows, including IMTS (Chicago), AAPEX (Las Vegas), Electronica (Munich), and MEDICA (Dusseldorf), to drive export growth across industries.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, the Macao SAR Government, and the China Manned Space Agency successfully organised the “Tiangong Class” Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session today (September 9), enabling young people from Hong Kong and Macao to engage in interactive dialogues with space experts and the Shenzhou-23 crew currently carrying out a manned space mission on the Chinese Space Station. Mission commander, Dr Zhu Yangzhu, astronaut Zhang Zhiyuan and Hong Kong’s first payload expert Dr Lai Ka-ying, served as “space teachers” to deliver expert lectures to students, conduct real-time science experiments, and engage in interactive “dialogue between space and Earth”.

     Held at Dr Lai’s alma mater, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College, “Tiangong Class” Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session featured in-orbit demonstrations, expert lectures and a question-and-answer session with students. Over 200 participants attended, including primary and secondary school teachers and pupils from Hong Kong and Macao, tertiary students, researchers and technology professionals, as well as representatives from youth organisations. The session lasted approximately one hour and thirty minutes, during which Dr Lai introduced the operational process of the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO). Developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the MUSICO undertakes the important task of monitoring global greenhouse gases, contributing to national aerospace programmes and global sustainable development.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) supported the participation of the Hong Kong Screw and Fastener Council and Hong Kong Productivity Council at Automechanika Frankfurt held in Frankfurt, Germany from September 8 to 12.
 
Automechanika Frankfurt is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for the automotive industry, bringing together manufacturers, professional buyers, and industry experts from around the globe. The event provides an important platform for businesses to showcase their products and technologies to an international audience.
 
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the trade fair on September 8 (Frankfurt time), the Deputy Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Billy Leung, highlighted the Government’s commitment to promoting Hong Kong’s industrial excellence internationally and facilitating business exchanges for enterprises to “Go Global”.  
 
Mr Leung emphasised the unique advantages and values that Hong Kong offers to the industries. The robust legal system, free flow of capital, world-class infrastructure, and deep pool of talent make Hong Kong an ideal partner for companies looking to innovate and grow.
 
“Hong Kong is an international financial centre, a logistics hub, and a trusted business platform. Our manufacturers deliver high-quality products and solutions that meet the needs of global customers. In an industry where precision, reliability, and speed are everything, Hong Kong always delivers,” said Mr Leung.
 
Representatives from Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council also participated the networking session held after the opening ceremony to promote and connect participating enterprises and industry stakeholders. 
 
The event formed part of the promotion efforts under the Economic and Trade Express initiative, which aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s economic and trade connections with global partners and support Hong Kong enterprises in expanding their international footprint.

About HKETO Berlin
 
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region