Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, on a visit to Malaysia today (August 11) officiated at the official opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur ETO), marking a significant milestone in deepening partnership between Hong Kong and Malaysia, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a whole.
The ceremony was held at the newly established permanent office of the Kuala Lumpur ETO. Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Yau highlighted the strategic importance of the Kuala Lumpur ETO which is the 15th overseas ETO of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the fourth in the ASEAN region.
Noting that ASEAN stands firmly as Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner in goods while Malaysia is the city’s eighth largest trading partner, Mr Yau said that the new ETO shoulders the responsibility of deepening Hong Kong’s economic, trade and investment ties with and strengthening its presence in this strategically important region. He also expressed gratitude to the Malaysian government for its full support to the establishment of the Kuala Lumpur ETO which commenced operation last December. The geographical coverage of the Kuala Lumpur ETO includes Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Laos and Pakistan.
He added that together with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Kuala Lumpur ETO will spearhead the building of closer government-to-government and business-to-business links and step up the facilitation of two-way trade and investment, with a view to creating more opportunities and win-win collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
Other officiating guests included the Minister of Transport, Malaysia, Mr Loke Siew Fook; the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Ouyang Yujing; the Chairman of the HKTDC, Professor Frederick Ma; the Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Ambassador Ikram Bin Mohd Ibrahim; and the Director of the Kuala Lumpur ETO, Mr Owin Fung.
Earlier in the day, Mr Yau led a business delegation to attend the “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” symposium and luncheon organised by the HKTDC. The business delegates including representatives from Mainland enterprises looking to go global, Hong Kong chambers of commerce and other organisations also had exchange sessions with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and local chambers to gain a deeper understanding of the latest situation and needs of the Malaysian market.
Speaking at the symposium held this morning, Mr Yau said that amid the profound transformation in the global economy characterised by geopolitical tensions, supply chain realignments and technological changes, Hong Kong with its core strengths can be Malaysia’s partner to navigate the increasingly complex external environment.
Mr Yau noted that with its tariff-free regime, simple and low tax structure, and robust legal system, Hong Kong, as one of the world’s freest economies, provides a business environment with stability, transparency and predictability. He added that in the first two quarters of this year, Hong Kong recorded a Gross Domestic Product growth of 5.9 per cent and 4.3 per cent year-on-year respectively. This bears out the resilience, dynamism and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s economy.
He stressed that Hong Kong’s unique strength lies not only in its robust infrastructure or business-friendly policies, but also in its unmatched connectivity with the Mainland and the rest of the world, empowering Hong Kong to serve the Malaysian business community as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”.
Mr Yau said that while Malaysian businesses can gain access to the vast Mainland market, particularly the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, via Hong Kong, the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global set up last year by the HKSAR Government provides one-stop, customised support services to Mainland enterprises to facilitate outbound direct investment into overseas markets including Malaysia and beyond, creating a win-win outcome for both countries.
He added that he sees new and exciting opportunities for Hong Kong and Malaysia to collaborate, from innovation and technology, to green and sustainable development, adding that Hong Kong and Malaysia are not just trading partners, but strategic partners in shaping the economies of tomorrow.
On the sidelines of the symposium, Mr Yau and Mr Loke witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between four Hong Kong media organisations and Malaysian media and other organisations to foster new opportunities. They also witnessed the signing of MOUs between the HKTDC and local chambers of commerce and related institutions to strengthen collaboration.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
To deepen young people’s understanding of national strategies and the international landscape, the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps (IDYL) organised a series of summer exchange tours under the theme of “IDYL Belt and Road Exploration Tours”, including the Guangxi Tour to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Singapore and Malaysia Tour to Singapore and Malaysia, engaging a total of 60 IDYL members as scheduled. Through a diverse range of activities, the tours aimed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI) as well as the culture and development of the relevant countries or regions, enabling young people to tell good stories of Hong Kong from their perspectives.
Led by the Deputy Director of Immigration (Enforcement, Systems and Management), Mr Choi Chi-yuen, and Deputy Commissioner of the IDYL Advisory Committee Mr Chu Man-yin, members of the Guangxi Tour visited cities such as Nanning, Fangchenggang and Chongzuo between July 20 and 26 to conduct on-site studies of the country’s efforts to drive forward the New Western Land-Sea Corridor, which was at the forefront of its collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. They also went to visit the China-Vietnam border, namely the Dongzhong, Dongxing and Youyiguan control points, to gain an in-depth understanding of immigration operations and trade developments along the China-Vietnam border, thereby better understanding the country’s strategic layout in regional connectivity.
In addition, tour members visited the Guangxi Silver Wing Power Technology Company Limited to learn about the country’s development of high-tech industries, and conducted exchanges with local young people at the Nanning Vocational and Technical University. They experienced Zhuang culture and jointly explored the way of passing on traditions while pioneering the future.
The six-day, five-night Singapore and Malaysia Tour was also held from August 5 to 10. Travelling to various cities in Singapore and Malaysia, tour members visited Singapore’s Changi Airport and Tuas Checkpoint to obtain insights into the air and land immigration control facilities and policies of the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, and went to local enterprises to experience firsthand the economic opportunities brought by the B&RI.
During the journey, tour members also paid a visit to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia to understand overseas consular protection work and the country’s pursuit of promoting the B&RI. They also went to the Xiamen University Malaysia to find out how the Chinese Mainland’s higher education integrates into the B&RI, and exchanged views with local young people and overseas Chinese. The itinerary also included visits to landmarks such as the National Museum of Singapore, the Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Ancestral Hall and the Petronas Twin Towers, allowing tour members to immerse themselves in the local culture.
Both exchange tours under this year’s IDYL Belt and Road Exploration Tours were partially funded by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Youth Development Commission. The IDYL will continue to organise exchange programmes of various themes to deepen young people’s understanding of national affairs, facilitate their integration into the overall national development, and broaden their international horizons. Young people will be encouraged to capitalise on Hong Kong’s unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland while being closely connected to the world, and proactively tell the world good stories of China and Hong Kong with their experiences and insights gained during the journeys.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (August 11) that the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP) will introduce a new Electronic Consent Form (e-consent form) feature. Starting from August 17, parents can use the e-consent form on the eHealth mobile application (eHealth mobile app) to submit consent forms for their children to receive seasonal influenza vaccinations (SIV) under the SIVSOP. This new measure makes it easier for parents to submit consent forms for their children before the start of the school year and streamlines the administrative procedures for schools and healthcare service providers, enabling students to receive SIV earlier and safeguarding their health.
Scientific evidence shows that vaccination is one of the most effective means to prevent severe cases of seasonal influenza and its complications. It also reduces the risks of in-patient admission and mortality. The Government has been actively promoting and optimising the SIVSOP. In the previous school year (2025/26), the CHP started accepting school enrolment for the SIVSOP as early as the start of June 2025, and allowed all schools to choose to use the nasal spray live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and the “hybrid mode” (i.e. schools could choose both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and nasal spray LAIV for the same or different outreach vaccination activities). These optimisation measures yielded remarkable results. More than 2 300 schools, representing 99 per cent of all schools, had organised SIV school outreach activities by the end of December 2025, which was higher than the 91 per cent in the preceding school year. This year, the introduction of the new e-consent form further streamlines the process and reduces the time parents need to fill out the consent forms. This will facilitate the arrangement of SIV outreach activities by schools as early as possible.
The e-consent form has the following four main benefits:
Simplifying the form-filling process for parents: If parents and their children have registered for eHealth accounts, parents can submit consent forms for their children via the eHealth mobile app, without having to re-enter personal particulars. This process is simpler than using traditional paper forms.
Reducing schools’ administrative work: Through the newly established SIVSOP Student Information Platform by the DH, schools can download a list of students with completed e-consent forms. The system automatically consolidates the information submitted by parents, eliminating the need for schools to manually enter or verify data, thereby reducing the administrative workload and minimising human error.
Reducing healthcare service providers’ administrative work: Healthcare service providers do not need to collect or retain students’ paper consent forms, thereby reducing the associated administrative work.
Advancing vaccination activities: Parents can complete the consent process in advance, enabling schools to plan and organise SIV school outreach activities earlier.
The DH has already held several online briefing sessions for participating schools to explain the arrangements for the upcoming SIVSOP and the process for collecting and submitting e-consent forms. The DH has also invited school representatives to participate in testing the system interface and operational procedures. Starting from tomorrow (August 12), participating schools will receive school-specific QR codes for distribution to parents. The QR codes will become effective on August 17. By then, parents can start filling out the e-consent forms for their children.
Parents only need to log in to the eHealth mobile app and scan the school-specific QR code distributed by their children’s school to submit the consent form for their children in one go. The DH has prepared a short video (youtu.be/_TIvuosvR6c) (Chinese only) on how to complete the e-consent form for parents who need guidance.
The DH reminded parents that the QR code distributed by each school is valid only for students enrolled at that school. If parents have more than one child and they attend different schools, they must scan the respective school-specific QR for each child’s respective school separately.
If parents or their children have not yet registered for eHealth or downloaded the eHealth mobile app, they may visit the eHealth thematic website (app.ehealth.gov.hk) for details on registration and download procedures.
The DH called on schools and parents to ensure their children receive SIV and to use the e-consent form to jointly build a stronger protective barrier for the children. The Government is actively making preparations for the 2026/27 SIV programmes. Details of the arrangements, such as eligible groups and vaccination venues, will be announced in due course.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announces that a tender of 2-year Exchange Fund Notes will be held on August 21, 2026 (Friday) for settlement on August 24, 2026 (Monday), as set out in the published tentative issuance schedule. This is to roll over an issue of 2-year Exchange Fund Notes maturing on the same day.
A total of HK$1,200 million 2-year Notes will be on offer, of which HK$5 million will be made available for offer to members of the public who wish to submit non-competitive tender bids through Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited (HKSCC). If the Notes reserved for non-competitive tender are under-subscribed, the non-subscribed amount will be added to the portion of notes for competitive tender (initially set at HK$1,195 million). The Notes will mature on August 24, 2028 and will carry interest at the rate of 3.00 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrears.
Members of the public who wish to submit non-competitive tender applications for Notes that are open to HKSCC may do so through Stock Exchange Participants/Brokers, or for those who hold Investor Accounts of the Central Clearing and Settlement System (CCASS) at the HKSCC, directly through HKSCC, for submission to the HKMA for processing. Competitive tender applications for the Notes must be submitted through any of the Eligible Market Makers appointed by the HKMA, with the current published list available on the HKMA’s website at www.hkma.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof for both competitive and non-competitive tender.
The tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the LSEG screen (HKMAOOE), and Bloomberg. Applicants who submitted non-competitive tender bids through HKSCC may also obtain the tender results from Stock Exchange Participants/Brokers, or for applicants who hold Investor Accounts at HKSCC’s CCASS from the CCASS terminal for CCASS Broker/Custodian/Participants and CCASS Phone System.
HKMA Exchange Fund Note Programme Tender information
—————————————————————–
Tender information of 2-Year Exchange Fund Notes:
Issue Number
:
02Y2808
Stock code
:
4112 (EFN 3.00 2808)
Tender date and time
:
August 21, 2026 (Friday)
9.30am to 10.30am
Issue and Settlement Date
:
August 24, 2026 (Monday)
Amount on offer
:
HK$1,200 million
(up to HK$5 million for non-competitive tender)
Commencement of/
Deadline for submission of non-competitive tender bids by retail investors through HKSCC
:
Please refer to requirements as set down by HKSCC
Maturity
:
Two years
Maturity Date
:
August 24, 2028 (Thursday)
Interest Rate
:
3.00 per cent p.a.
Interest Payment Dates
:
February 24, 2027
August 24, 2027
February 24, 2028
August 24, 2028
Tender amount
:
Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof for both competitive and non-competitive tender. Members of the public who wish to apply for the Notes through non-competitive tenders that are open to HKSCC may do so through Stock Exchange Participants/ Brokers, or for those who hold Investors Accounts at HKSCC’s CCASS, directly through HKSCC. Members of the public who wish to apply for the Notes through competitive tender may only do so through any of the Eligible Market Makers on the current published list.
Other details
:
Please see Information Memorandum published or approach Eligible Market Makers, HKSCC, or brokers who are Exchange Participants of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
Expected commencement date of dealing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
:
August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)
Price/Yield Table of the new EFN at tender for reference* only:
Yield-to- Maturity
Price
Yield-to-Maturity
Price
2.00
101.97
3.00
100.04
2.05
101.87
3.05
99.95
2.10
101.78
3.10
99.85
2.15
101.68
3.15
99.76
2.20
101.58
3.20
99.66
2.25
101.48
3.25
99.57
2.30
101.39
3.30
99.48
2.35
101.29
3.35
99.38
2.40
101.19
3.40
99.29
2.45
101.10
3.45
99.19
2.50
101.00
3.50
99.10
2.55
100.90
3.55
99.01
2.60
100.81
3.60
98.91
2.65
100.71
3.65
98.82
2.70
100.62
3.70
98.73
2.75
100.52
3.75
98.63
2.80
100.42
3.80
98.54
2.85
100.33
3.85
98.45
2.90
100.23
3.90
98.35
2.95
100.14
3.95
98.26
3.00
100.04
4.00
98.17
*Disclaimer: The information provided here is for reference only. Although extreme care has been taken to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, the HKMA does not warrant that all, or any part of, the information provided is accurate in all respects. You are encouraged to conduct your own enquiries to verify any particular piece of information provided on it. The HKMA shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any use or reliance on any of the information provided here.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Results of 10-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds tender through re-opening A total of HK$1.0 billion 10-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of HK$5.488 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 5.49. The average price accepted is 97.12, implying an annualised yield of 3.580 per cent. Tender results of 10-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
Tender Date* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued. Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Results of 5-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds tender through re-opening A total of HK$1.75 billion 5-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of HK$8.143 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 4.65. The average price accepted is 98.73, implying an annualised yield of 3.270 per cent. Tender results of 5-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
Tender Date* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued. Issued at HKT 17:00
President Lai hosts state banquet for St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday
On the evening of August 11, following a welcome ceremony with military honors and bilateral talks, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, hosted a state banquet at the Presidential Office for Prime Minister Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and his wife. In remarks, President Lai thanked Prime Minister Friday for his staunch support for Taiwan’s international participation. The president also expressed hope that the two nations will continue to move forward side by side in the international arena, working together to make even greater contributions to global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Tonight’s state banquet honors our good friends who have traveled from afar to join us. It also celebrates an important occasion – 45 years of our nations’ deep friendship. Prime Minister Friday, I would like to offer my congratulations. Since you assumed office last November, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has opened a new chapter in its development and actively advanced regional cooperation. You also served as rotating chair of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, underscoring St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ influential role in the Caribbean.
Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines share the values of freedom and democracy, and both understand that the significance of a nation’s existence lies not in its size. What matters most is its adherence to core beliefs, care for its people, and its international contributions and responsibilities. The motto “Peace and Justice” on your nation’s coat of arms reflects these convictions and commitments; Taiwan also engages with the global community with this ideological foundation at its core.
Taiwan stands willing and able to participate in international organizations and activities to jointly address challenges worldwide. Prime Minister Friday, I thank you again for staunchly backing Taiwan’s international participation. Moving ahead, I look forward to your continued support, which will enable both our nations to move forward side by side in the international arena. By working with countries around the world, we can contribute even more to global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
In closing, please enjoy tonight’s state banquet. May the diplomatic friendship between our two nations steadily grow and flourish, and may both our peoples enjoy happiness and peace.
Prime Minister Friday then delivered remarks, once again expressing his gratitude for the warm and generous reception his delegation had received. He pointed out that there are many ways for a country to welcome visitors, and while diplomatic protocol can make a visit official, only the people can make it feel special. Taiwan, he said, has made them feel welcome from the moment they arrived. He added that he is pleased to know what a profound ally they have in Taiwan, and that our nations’ goals are so well-aligned.
Prime Minister Friday mentioned that a few months ago, he attended the launch ceremony for the Agricultural Productivity Recovery and Young Farmers’ Training Project at the Orange Hill Agricultural Biotechnology Centre in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He recalled that during the tour of the facility, he saw farming conventions quite different from those of his generation, with various crops growing in controlled environments and technology helping to regulate water and growing conditions. He stated that he saw firsthand how modern science was being applied to something as old and essential as growing food. This project, he noted, brings together the Taiwan Technical Mission and his country’s Ministry of Agriculture, using modern approaches to improve productivity and prepare a new generation of farmers. Adding that he saw Taiwanese knowledge taking root in Vincentian soil, he stated that one of the most valuable things countries can share with one another is knowledge. He then expressed hope that through this visit, they can see more of the innovation and creativity that Taiwan’s people bring to their every endeavor.
Prime Minister Friday pointed out that for 45 years, Taiwan has been eager to share its knowledge and expertise with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which is one of the best measures of a relationship between two countries. He noted that another aspect of the two countries’ relationship is remembering each other when times are difficult. He stated that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has experienced this generosity from Taiwan, and when Taiwan was struck by a devastating earthquake in April 2024, his country also responded with humanitarian assistance, as it was critical to do whatever they could. This, he said, is what friends do: being present when the other is in need.
Prime Minister Friday expressed his belief that there is still much room for the peoples of both countries to know one another better. He noted that Taipei and Kingstown became sister cities on May 21, 2024 to encourage greater exchanges in education, tourism, culture, travel, and business. He stated that while the two capitals are certainly not identical sisters, both are incredibly well-connected, a fact that has become clear to him on this visit.
In closing, Prime Minister Friday expressed hope that Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to create connections across all sectors. He then extended an invitation to President Lai to visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines to see their islands, meet their people, and experience their culture, music, and food. The prime minister also expressed hope that the distance between the two countries will never limit the closeness of their connection, and that both nations will continue finding new and creative ways to support each other.
Also in attendance at the banquet were St. Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, Attorney General Sarah Louise Mitchell, and Ambassador Kenton X. Chance.
President Lai meets Prime Minister Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
On the afternoon of August 11, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the Presidential Office following a welcome ceremony with military honors for him and his wife. In remarks, President Lai expressed hope that Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to deepen cooperation across all sectors. He also voiced confidence that the two countries can continue to advance the well-being of their peoples through a diverse range of programs and thus inject new momentum into relations, launching a new chapter of collaboration.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I would like to thank Prime Minister Friday once again for choosing Taiwan as the destination for his first intercontinental state visit since taking office. This decision demonstrates to the international community our robust and cordial diplomatic ties. I also want to thank Prime Minister Friday and the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for firmly backing Taiwan’s international participation. Ahead of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May, Prime Minister Friday personally wrote a letter to the director-general of the World Health Organization advocating for Taiwan’s involvement. Minister of Health, Wellness and Energy Daniel Cummings also publicly voiced support for Taiwan at the plenary session of the WHA. We are deeply grateful for this profound friendship.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. With Prime Minister Friday’s support, I believe that our countries will continue to assist each other in the international arena and that our cooperation projects will continue to yield new achievements, advancing the well-being of our peoples. For example, the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative and its Diplomatic Allies Inbound Track Program, launched last year, have encouraged youths from both nations to engage in concrete exchanges in smart agriculture and sustainable tourism.
I was also pleased to learn that Prime Minister Friday has highly commended Taiwan’s smart agriculture project at Orange Hill. The fresh produce from the plant factory and the high-quality agricultural products cultivated by young farmers are gaining popularity among local hotels and operators in the tourism industry, creating more homegrown business opportunities and inspiring more young people to join in agricultural development.
Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with St. Vincent and the Grenadines across all sectors. Through a diverse range of programs, we can continue to advance the well-being of our peoples. I also hope that more young Taiwanese will travel to your country to study and engage in exchanges. We also welcome the youth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to come to Taiwan so that the younger generations can broaden their horizons together, allowing our nations’ strong bond to endure for generations to come.
Diplomatic ties are deepened, step by step. So let us work together to inject new momentum into our relations and launch a new chapter of collaboration.
Prime Minister Friday then delivered remarks, saying that it is a privilege to meet President Lai and that he is particularly pleased to have the opportunity during the first year of his new government to speak directly about the longstanding relationship between our two countries, our history of cooperation, and the hard work ahead. He noted that what began in 1981 as a decision between our two nations to cooperate has since become a lasting friendship. He said that these 45 years demonstrate the importance of Taiwan’s role in the relationship. On behalf of his government and the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the prime minister expressed sincere gratitude for Taiwan’s generosity and support throughout the years.
Prime Minister Friday said that no country develops in isolation, and that the quality of the relationships countries build internationally, the knowledge they exchange, and their ability to turn cooperation into practical results all matter. He stated that St. Vincent and the Grenadines approaches its relationship with Taiwan in that spirit. Noting that our two countries already have a substantial foundation on which to build, he expressed hope that the relationship can be made more responsive to the challenges and opportunities facing both countries today.
Prime Minister Friday said that he is also here to discuss the future, adding that he believes the bonds between the two nations are stronger than ever. He reiterated his government’s position that St. Vincent and the Grenadines deeply values its enduring friendship with Taiwan and is ready to take the necessary steps to deepen it and move beyond friendship to partnership. He expressed hope that our two sides will remove barriers, expand trade and commercial ties, and better understand how our two countries can complement one another for mutual prosperity.
Prime Minister Friday continued, saying that work is already underway as our two governments negotiate an Economic Cooperation Agreement to facilitate bilateral trade. He noted that practical bilateral matters remained to be concluded, including arrangements for the reciprocal recognition of driving licenses. Although separated by thousands of miles of ocean, he said, our two countries share a common vision for democracy and a desire to continue improving the lives and livelihoods of our citizens. He therefore expressed hope that practical ways can be found for our peoples to engage with one another more meaningfully and gain a better understanding of each other. The prime minister said that he wanted to see many more exchanges between our young people, professionals, businesses, and institutions, and for our two sides to continue building connections that would endure.
In closing, Prime Minister Friday expressed hope that our two countries will continue to build on our substantial foundation and deepen bilateral cooperation. He once again thanked Taiwan for the warm welcome extended to his delegation and expressed appreciation for the profound importance placed on the longstanding friendship between our two peoples. The prime minister said that he looks forward to sitting down with President Lai, speaking candidly, and discussing practical matters concerning what our two governments could accomplish together, what a future partnership between our two nations would look like, and the benefits that partnership could bring to future generations.
Also in attendance were Prime Minister Friday’s wife Mrs. Kathryn Ave Friday; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble; and Attorney General Sarah Louise Mitchell. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Kenton X. Chance.
The Government today launched a one-month public consultation on proposed amendments to the Building Management Ordinance. The exercise aims to further enhance the regulatory regime following the enactment of the Building Management (Amendment) Ordinance 2024.
The proposed updates address five main areas. These include imposing a higher attendance requirement and voting thresholds for large-scale maintenance and high-value procurement, as well as improving the system for handling proxy instruments.
The amendments also aim to optimise the system for the declaration of interests, strengthen authority powers to enforce regulations, and clarify meeting procedures. The updates are expected to better cope with the changing needs of building management while meeting evolving public expectations.
The Government noted that effective building management is essential to improved district governance. The changes will increase owners’ participation, enhance decision-making transparency, and better safeguard owners’ rights and interests.
In February, the Government set out its key amendment directions at the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports. Following preliminary consultations with the property management sector and Legislative Council members, those views – along with several new proposals – have been integrated into the current consultation document.
The public consultation will run until September 11. Members of the public can submit their views via email or by mail to Division V, Home Affairs Department, 31/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai.
As Taiwan enters a super-aged society, demand for health management and care continues to grow. At its dedicated pavilion during the 2026 Healthy Ageing Tech Show, the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), Ministry of Economic Affairs, brings together four research organizations-the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC), Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), and Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI). Across three themed zones-Health Management, Compassionate Care, and Rehabilitation Empowerment-the pavilion presents 30 senior health technology innovations. On the show’s opening day, DoIT also facilitated the signing of a letter of intent between ITRI and TAICEND TECHNOLOGY, demonstrating strong momentum in research commercialization and industrial upgrading.
DoIT Director General Chao-Chung Kuo said that the purpose of technology research is to solve real problems in everyday life. Many featured solutions have already been introduced into home care, community service sites, hospitals, and long-term care institutions, while also helping companies transform their business models. One example is the Chronic Wound Care Service jointly developed by ITRI and TAICEND TECHNOLOGY. By bringing artificial intelligence into home-based wound management, the service allows home-care nurses to photograph and upload a wound; the system then automatically assesses its size and healing progress, enabling medical teams to deliver precise intervention at the earliest opportunity. The technology is expected to generate more than NT$400 million in output and investment and help TAICEND evolve from a conventional dressing manufacturer into a one-stop provider integrating AI, an app, and professional care services. DoIT will continue connecting industry, academia, research institutes, and medical organizations to accelerate commercialization and turn senior-care needs into new growth for the smart health sector.
DoIT noted that, according to the World Health Organization, approximately 528 million people worldwide have osteoarthritis, including about 365 million whose knees are affected. TTRI’s Home-Based Digital Exercise Intervention System for Knee Osteoarthritis integrates joint-condition measurement, electrical stimulation support, and motion analysis, enabling older adults to undertake precise, convenient exercise training at home and improve rehabilitation outcomes. The system has completed a clinical trial at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of National Taiwan University Hospital and was selected as one of the expo’s Top 10 Age-Friendly Technologies, Products, and Services. With the global knee-brace market projected to grow from US$6.51 billion in 2025 to US$9.39 billion in 2032, the solution shows significant potential in smart rehabilitation.
Featured Technologies
Protection You Can Wear: TTRI’s Multimodal Physiological Monitoring Garment
TTRI has combined its fabric electrodes, which have generated approximately NT$12 million in technology-transfer revenue, with Quanta’s medically certified electrocardiogram device. The result is a comfortable garment suitable for long-term physiological monitoring. Clinical evaluations are underway at Yuan-Kuo Hospital in Changhua, Chiayi Hospital, and E-Da Hospital. Estimated annual output is NT$500-600 million.
Eat and Swallow with Greater Ease: MIRDC’s Oral Health and Swallowing Service
MIRDC integrates an oral light-therapy panel, a tongue-pressure feedback meter, and facial-exercise courses delivered through a digital mirror. The service helps older adults strengthen the muscles used for chewing and swallowing. It has been introduced at long-term care sites and community locations, supporting applications in devices, platforms, consumables, and professional services. Estimated annual output is NT$500-800 million.
Safe, Nutritious, and Appealing Meals: FIRDI’s Customized 3D-Printed Nutrition Technology
FIRDI uses 3D printing to transform pureed ingredients into realistic-looking meals while precisely adjusting nutritional composition. The technology supports swallowing safety, adequate nutrition, and dignity at mealtimes. It has been transferred to Taiwan Farm Industry Co., Ltd. and can be expanded into care, food-service, and food-manufacturing settings, with an estimated NT$500 million increase in output.
The DoIT Pavilion at the 2026 Healthy Ageing Tech Show showcased innovations in smart healthcare, functional textiles, assistive technology, and more, demonstrating how technology can make daily life warmer, safer, and more dignified for older adults.