MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 9) the results of the Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for September 2026.

The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs decreased from 44.1 in August 2026 in the contractionary zone to 43.7 in September 2026, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. October 2026) outlook DI on business receipts was 47.4. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts for some surveyed sectors dropped in September 2026 as compared with previous month, particularly for the real estate (from 48.5 to 45.4) and restaurants (from 44.0 to 41.3).

The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades decreased from 44.8 in August 2026 to 44.3 in September 2026, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. October 2026) was 47.7.

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that current business sentiment among SMEs eased somewhat in September. The current diffusion index on business receipts for SMEs edged down from the preceding month, while the outlook diffusion index remained relatively stable, with improvement recorded in the import and export trades, retail trade and wholesale trade sectors. The overall diffusion index on employment also improved slightly. 

Looking ahead, the continued solid growth in the Hong Kong economy should support business confidence, though the ongoing uncertainties in the external environment may still affect near-term sentiment. The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Further information

The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to companies with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent companies in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD.

The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own companies rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month. 

More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300).

Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     A spokesperson for the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (October 9) expressed firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the completely false, slanderous and biased content regarding HKSAR’s efforts to tackle trafficking in persons (TIP) in the Trafficking in Persons Report 2026 (Report) issued by the Department of State of the United States (US). LegCo firmly supports the statement issued by the HKSAR Government to set the record straight and clarify fallacies.
 
     The LegCo spokesperson stressed that the rating of Hong Kong at Tier 3 in the Department of State of the US’s so-called Report is completely groundless and an attempt to smear Hong Kong’s good reputation. The content of the Report deviate grossly from the actual situation in Hong Kong and the international community’s positive evaluation of the city. In fact, as pointed out by the HKSAR Government, TIP has never been a prevalent problem in Hong Kong, nor is there any sign that Hong Kong is being actively used by syndicates as a destination or transit point for TIP.
 
     In its statement, the HKSAR Government forcefully rebutted the allegations with objective figures, demonstrating the proactive and multi-pronged strategy to combat TIP activities it adopted, as well as the substantial resources in tackling TIP and enhancing the protection for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Among these efforts, the HKSAR Government conducted around 12 100 initial screenings in 2025 (a 7 per cent increase over last year) and identified 15 TIP victims, all of whom were Hong Kong residents falling prey to employment fraud in Southeast Asian countries. The HKSAR Government’s swift actions in effectively assisting these residents to return safely to Hong Kong, identifying them as TIP victims, thoroughly investigating these cases and prosecuting the people involved highlight Hong Kong’s firm determination to combat TIP and safeguard the lives, safety and human rights of citizens. As an integral part of the HKSAR’s governing team, LegCo will, as always, render full support to the HKSAR Government in combating TIP activities through policy advice and legislative work.
 
     The LegCo spokesperson pointed out that the selective citation of data in the so-called Report and the unwarranted criticisms against Hong Kong’s victim identification efforts are deeply hypocritical and reflect double standards, especially when studies and reports in the US have highlighted systemic underreporting of TIP cases and shortcomings by law enforcement agencies in the US. Yet, the Department of State of the US made wanton accusations against Hong Kong’s rigorous work. Hong Kong will never accept such politically-motivated selective targeting.
 
     The LegCo spokesperson also pointed out that the so-called Report made untruthful remarks regarding the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, completely disregarding the laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong have explicitly stipulated that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applicable to the HKSAR are protected in accordance with the law. Relevant court cases have clearly shown that laws safeguarding national security target only a very small number of organisations and individuals that endanger national security. Normal activities of any law-abiding persons or organisations will not unwittingly violate the law.
 
     The LegCo spokesperson urges the US to respect facts, stop issuing false reports filled with political bias, abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately cease interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China’s internal affairs. The US should also refrain from using double standards to smear and vilify the actual situation in the HKSAR and its long-standing efforts to combat TIP, so as to avoid undermining mutual trust and co-operation in the international community’s fight against TIP.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the AWS Future Builders: The Al Career Dialogue today (October 9):

Dr Vogels (Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Amazon.com, Dr Werner Vogels), Chris (Managing Director of AWS Hong Kong, Mr Chris So), Terry (Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, Mr Terry Wong), distinguished guests, and young talents,

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 8) detected a case involving a local company that conducted cash transactions of watches containing precious metals and stones valued at over HK$120,000, while not being a Category B registrant under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. An investigation is ongoing.

According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs. 

In particular, no person other than a Category B registrant may carry out a cash transaction with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in the course of business of dealing in precious metals and stones. Any dealer who is not a Category B registrant, who claims to be a Category B registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Customs reminds dealers in precious metals and stones that they must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Customs’ webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration 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

In connection with the official opening of the Huanggang Port on October 12, the Government has entered into a market agreement with 45 insurers to extend the scope of coverage of their existing mandatory motor and employees’ compensation insurance policies to the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area (HKPA). The agreement covers insurance policies required under section 4 of the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Ordinance (Cap. 272) and section 40 of the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282) respectively. The effective date is July 31, 2026, i.e. the day the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance (Cap. 659) came into operation.

The market agreement was signed between the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and individual insurers to expand the geographical limit under the existing mandatory motor and employees’ compensation insurance policies to cover the HKPA without incurring any extra cost to policyholders.

A spokesperson for the FSTB said that this proactive collaboration of the FSTB with the Insurance Authority (IA) and the insurance industry eliminates potential public confusion by reaching a market agreement prior to the opening of the HKPA. This pragmatic arrangement is beneficial to the public in ensuring policyholders’ continuous compliance with the mandatory insurance requirements while minimising the administrative burden on stakeholders.

The Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance came into operation on July 31, 2026. Insurance policies, being private contracts, however are not automatically extended to cover the HKPA upon the commencement of the Ordinance. The Government has thus taken the initiative to negotiate, via the IA, with the insurance industry to extend the coverage of the mandatory insurance policies of motor and employees’ compensation to include the HKPA at no additional premium to be paid by policyholders. This arrangement is similar to that made in 2007 for the Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area.

The FSTB expressed its sincere gratitude to the IA, the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers and the insurance industry for their strong support and collaboration throughout the process.

The public may refer to the website of the FSTB (www.fstb.gov.hk/fsb/en/business/other_matters/index.html) for the details of the aforementioned market agreement and the list of insurers which have signed the agreement.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

     Pursuant to the Government’s initiative to bolster STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education at the primary and secondary school levels, as well as to step up efforts in identifying and nurturing local STEAM talent, the Research Grants Council (RGC) will organise a series of public lectures from October to November. Various topics including cultural preservation with artificial intelligence, online pricing, children education, and universe exploration will be covered. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.
 
     The second lecture titled “Child Development, Learning, and Family Interventions” will be held on October 17 (Saturday). The lecture will be conducted in Cantonese. Details are as follows:

Time: 3pm to 5pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library
Live Broadcast: YouTube channel of the Hong Kong Public Libraries
(www.youtube.com/channel/UCJUipdvSACZjO1ldoO3YQBA)
 
Session 1: “How to Effectively Engage and Promote Children’s Academic Learning: Findings from Hong Kong Families”
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     Children in Hong Kong face significant academic pressure from a young age, such as early literacy instruction in kindergarten and participation in after-school tutoring in primary school, leading to significant economic and emotional stress for parents. The family, as one of the proximal micro-ecosystems for children’s learning and development, plays a vital role in their academic learning, development, and mental well-being. This lecture, presented by Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dr Catrina Liu draws on several studies conducted in Hong Kong to discuss the characteristics of local home learning environment and activities, as well as their relationships with children’s Chinese, English, and mathematics abilities, providing empirical guidance on how parents can effectively participate in and enhance their children’s learning process.
 
Session 2: “All-round Autism Care: An Overarching Intervention Approach for Autistic Children and Their Parents”
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     This lecture, presented by Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Professor Catherine So will introduce the research team’s signature RABI® intervention model, highlighting its contributions to innovation and technological application, as well as its social and educational impact on key stakeholders.

     The RGC has been regularly organising public lectures since 2009, featuring various distinguished scholars as speakers. These lectures aim to promote research knowledge from Hong Kong’s tertiary institutions and raise public awareness of the significance and value of local research work.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). Additionally, members of the public can register for the RGC’s email subscription service at www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribe to receive regular updates.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region