kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SCED leads business delegation to Malaysia to foster closer business collaboration (with photos)
25.11.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, started his two-day visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (November 25), leading a delegation comprising business people, professionals and start-up representatives to tap the huge potential for business collaboration and foster stronger bilateral ties with Malaysia and Thailand. Soon upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur early this afternoon, Mr Yau and several delegation members met with the Minister of Finance of Malaysia, Mr Lim Guan Eng, and the Deputy Minister of Transport of Malaysia, Dato' Kamarudin Jaffar, to learn about the latest financial policies and economic development situation of Malaysia as well as its future infrastructure developments. During the meetings, Mr Yau introduced Hong Kong's strengths on many fronts that could support Malaysian businesses in accessing the Mainland China market and going global, as well as tapping into the immense opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative, including Hong Kong's unparalleled advantages as an international financial, trading and logistics hub with a global network and professional services benchmarked against international standards. Some delegates joining the meetings also shared their views from respective professions. Noting that Malaysia is embarking on a series of future development plans, Mr Yau said he hoped the delegates could, through this mission, gain first-hand information on the latest business opportunities and forge direct and valuable connections with Malaysian business and government counterparts in order to seize local opportunities and build further collaborations. Mr Yau remarked that Malaysia issued the world's first green Islamic bond in 2017. In Hong Kong, given that the city is an international financial centre, the Government is also actively pursuing work on various fronts to promote the city as a regional green financing hub. The room for further mutual co-operation is huge. Mr Yau also said that Malaysia is undergoing rapid development in transport infrastructure. Hong Kong businesses and professional services, with their rich experience and advantages in various strengths, could make contributions on different relevant infrastructure projects. Before concluding his first-day visit programme, Mr Yau will meet with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Malaysia, Mr Bai Tian, to keep him abreast of the latest developments of Hong Kong. Mr Yau will continue his visit in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow (November 26).
SCED to lead business delegation to visit Malaysia and Thailand
24.11.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will leave Hong Kong tomorrow (November 25) to lead a 52-strong delegation, comprising businesses, professionals and start-ups to visit Malaysia and Thailand to promote Hong Kong's strengths on various fronts in the pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative. The opportunity will be taken to foster stronger trade and economic ties and explore new business opportunities. The delegation consists of entrepreneurs and professionals from a wide range of sectors, demonstrating Hong Kong's comprehensive and competitive edges. They include accounting, finance, insurance, real estate and infrastructure development, legal and dispute resolution, transport and logistics, energy and environmental services, manufacturing, technology and telecommunications, cultural and creative industries and start-ups. Mr Yau said Malaysia and Thailand are both close partners of Hong Kong in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The forthcoming mission is another step to reinforce the city's relationship with these two fast-growing ASEAN countries after the inking of the Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in 2017 and the opening of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok in this February. The delegation will first visit Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia from November 25 to 26, to be followed by a visit to Bangkok, Thailand from November 27 to 29. Apart from meeting local government officials, business leaders and chambers of commerce, the delegates will pay visits to leading companies and the Mainland's overseas Economic and Trade Co-operation Zones there to understand the latest developments at the two places. Business matching opportunities will be staged to promote partnership and seek co-operation opportunities. The delegates will also attend business seminars cum networking luncheons in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to establish connections with the business community there. Mr Yau will give keynote speeches on both occasions. During the visit, Mr Yau will call on the Chinese Ambassadors to Malaysia and Thailand to keep them abreast of the latest developments in Hong Kong. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on the evening of November 29. The Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development during Mr Yau's absence.
SCED attends Informal WTO Ministerial Meeting in Shanghai (with photo)
5.11.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, attended the Informal World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Meeting held in Shanghai today (November 5). During the meeting, participating ministers discussed their expectations and desired outcomes for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) and the necessary reform of the WTO. Mr Yau said that, amid the increasing doubts and concerns about the multilateral trading system (MTS) brought about by trade disputes, unilateral measures and the global economic slowdown, it is all the more important for WTO members to demonstrate joint efforts and firmly uphold the credibility of the MTS. Noting that the Appellate Body (AB) of the WTO will become inoperable in a month's time, leaving the WTO dispute settlement system in limbo, Mr Yau urged members to resolve the AB impasse resolutely with pragmatism and flexibility while engaging in discussions to address concerns about existing rules and practices. On MC12, Mr Yau said that Hong Kong wants to see deliverables in e-commerce, investment facilitation and domestic regulation in services and has been actively contributing to the process. Hong Kong also shares the view that the WTO needs to constantly review and improve the functioning of the MTS to ensure its relevance, and all improvements should be premised on a balanced approach recognising the rights and obligations of members. Before the meeting, Mr Yau joined the Ministerial Luncheon Meeting on Investment Facilitation for Development. At the luncheon, participating ministers endorsed a joint ministerial statement committing to intensifying work to further develop a multilateral framework on investment facilitation.
Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2019 gazetted
1.11.2019

The Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2019 is gazetted today (November 1). The Bill seeks to enhance the copyright exceptions relating to persons with a print disability in the Copyright Ordinance (Cap. 528) to bring them into line with the standards under the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled (Marrakesh Treaty). The existing Copyright Ordinance has already set out a series of specific exceptions or permitted acts that allow the production of specially adapted copies (accessible copies) of copyright works for personal use by persons with a print disability. To stay in line with the standards under the Marrakesh Treaty, the Bill seeks to enhance these exceptions by ways including the following: (a) enabling persons with a perceptual or reading disability (including dyslexia) to enjoy the copyright exceptions provided for persons with a print disability; (b) making it clear that audio forms of certain types of copyright works (such as audiobooks) may be used in the production of accessible copies for personal use by persons with a print disability; and (c) allowing cross-border exchange of accessible copies by specified bodies (e.g. non-profit-making organisations providing services to blind or visually impaired persons) with authorised entities in other jurisdictions, subject to relevant conditions being met. The Bill will also introduce some textual amendments to the existing copyright exceptions relating to persons with a print disability, including some which aim to better align the formulations with those used in the Marrakesh Treaty. "We see merits in taking forward the legislative proposals early, as they would benefit a wider print-disabled population and enable them to enjoy better access to copyright works in accessible formats. We are pleased to note that the legislative proposals have received general support during the consultation exercise and from the Legislative Council Panel on Commerce and Industry," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said. The Marrakesh Treaty is an international agreement concluded under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Its main goal is to facilitate and enhance access to copyright works in accessible formats for persons with a print disability. As at October 15, 2019, 61 countries have ratified or acceded to it. China is a signatory to the Marrakesh Treaty but has yet to ratify it. Although Hong Kong is under no obligation to comply with the Marrakesh Treaty at present, Hong Kong may still take the initiative to enhance its copyright exceptions to meet the international standards set out in the Treaty. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development will introduce the Bill into the Legislative Council for first and second readings on November 13, 2019.
SCED speaks on support for small and medium-sized enterprises
29.10.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met the media today (October 29) on support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises after attending the Legislative Council Panel on Commerce and Industry meeting. Following is the transcript of his remarks: Reporter: Regarding the initiatives of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, to what extent do you think it can help the restaurants? Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I'm glad to hear proposals or actual plans that would provide funding relief for certain hard-hit sectors like the restaurant industry. This is timely. The spirit and the arrangement are also quite similar to the recent economic relief package that we have introduced for the tourism industry, through simple methods and direct cash relief. We welcome any initiatives from the community at large, particularly people who are passionate in joining hands with the Government to help the community walk out of this economic storm. Of course, the Government will continue with all efforts to help, be they macroeconomic policies or relief measures that the Financial Secretary has introduced recently, including specific relief measures for the hard-hit industries. These efforts will continue and we welcome initiatives from different sectors of the community. In the fullness of time, when we launch our efforts to rebound from the present doldrums, we will be expecting more collaboration between the Government and various sectors, for instance, in the promotion of business offerings and incentives to revitalise the consumption and the economy as a whole. These are the directions. The more the merrier. Thank you. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SCED continues to promote Hong Kong's unique status and strengths in US (with photos)
20.9.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, continued his visit in the United States (US) today (September 19, US West Coast time), promoting Hong Kong's unique status and strengths which make it the best partner in Asia for US businesses to expand operations, build networks, meet great people and explore collaboration with different communities. Speaking at the "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" Gala Dinner in Los Angeles, Mr Yau said Hong Kong possesses an advanced financial services industry and infrastructure, a unique separate customs territory status and trade autonomy conferred upon Hong Kong by the Basic Law, under the framework of "one country, two systems" - a framework that guarantees Hong Kong's system of the rule of law, civic freedoms, property rights and protection of intellectual property. The US was Hong Kong's second largest trading partner and market for exports in 2018, with bilateral merchandise trade amounting to US$75 billion. In terms of the trade balance, Hong Kong is the best partner as over the past decade, globally, the US enjoyed consistently each year the highest trade surplus with Hong Kong, at US$33.8 billion in 2018, and had an aggregate merchandise trade surplus with Hong Kong amounting to US$297 billion from 2009 to 2018. This demonstrated that the strong trade connection between the US and Hong Kong is mutually beneficial and expanding. Mr Yau added that the bilateral ties extend beyond trade and economic relations to encompass people-to-people contacts, educational exchanges, sports and cultural events, innovation and technology development and government-to-government co-operation. He said that Hong Kong has also benefited greatly from every aspect and will continue to explore every avenue to deepen the ties with the people and businesses of the US. The gala dinner was part of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's mega international promotion "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" to promote Hong Kong's business services to US companies seeking opportunities in Asia. Prior to his arrival in Los Angeles, Mr Yau visited 500 Startups in San Francisco to learn about the seed accelerator programmes that it provides to support start-ups from around the world and its investments in start-ups in Hong Kong. 500 Startups is one of the world's most active venture capital companies and aims to discover and back talented entrepreneurs, help them create successful companies at scale, and build thriving global ecosystems. The company has over 10 investments in Hong Kong. Mr Yau will continue his visit in Los Angeles tomorrow (September 20, US West Coast time). He will attend the "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" Symposium, followed by a luncheon organised by the Milken Institute, a think tank, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco. He will also officiate at the opening ceremonies of a tourism promotion event organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and an architecture exhibition organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects.
SCED: Hong Kong's fundamentals as free, open and dynamic city remain intact (with photos)
19.9.2019

Hong Kong's fundamentals as a free, open and dynamic city with a stable and robust financial system remain intact despite recent disruptions, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said in San Francisco, the United States, today (September 18, US West Coast time). Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco and attended by about 200 prominent local figures, Mr Yau pointed out that Hong Kong will continue to build on its unique advantages under "one country, two systems" - a framework that guarantees Hong Kong's own system of common law, economic policy, civic freedoms, property rights and much more. Under this framework, new and rewarding opportunities for international collaboration will continue to be created. "Hong Kong has always been a resilient, resourceful and reasonable society. The people of the city are its greatest strength. They possess the wisdom and wherewithal to handle challenges and weather storms that come our way. We place our trust and faith in the rule of law and in our capacity to reform, reposition and rebuild our city in the face of crisis. We are confident that Hong Kong will bounce back again," Mr Yau said. Mr Yau also emphasised the close connections between Hong Kong and the United States in commerce, people-to-people links, culture, tourism, education exchanges and extensive government-to-government co-operation, citing a vibrant start-up scene and the fact that nearly 16 per cent of non-local founders of start-ups in Hong Kong last year were from the United States. In the afternoon, Mr Yau visited the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University, also known as the Stanford d.school. The d.school is a renowned institute for design thinking philosophy, methodology and practices, with programmes integrating business, law, medicine, social sciences and humanities into more traditional engineering and product design education. He had a fruitful exchange of views with the school's Founder and Faculty Director, Professor David Kelley, on how design thinking can be applied to public policymaking as well as designing and providing public services. Prior to the visit to the d.school, Mr Yau paid a courtesy call on the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco, Mr Wang Donghua. Mr Yau will continue his visit programme in San Francisco tomorrow morning (September 19, US West Coast time) and depart for Los Angeles in the afternoon to join the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's large-scale international promotion event "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong".
SCED starts US visit in San Francisco to promote Hong Kong's creative talent (with photos)
18.9.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, started his four-day duty visit to the United States (US) today (September 17, US West Coast time) in San Francisco, officiating at the opening ceremony of "Co-creating Hong Kong: a design+ exhibition" and meeting local design communities to promote Hong Kong's creative talent. "Co-creating Hong Kong: a design+ exhibition" is co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco and the Hong Kong Design Centre, with the support of AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) San Francisco. The exhibition features 14 unique projects by 13 leading and emerging Hong Kong designers, demonstrating their skillful blending of craft and technology as well as past and future, while opening the design process to allow for interactions with visitors. Addressing the opening ceremony attended by some 50 local stakeholders and a design delegation from Hong Kong, Mr Yau emphasised Hong Kong's role as a value-adding partner for regional development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and a gateway for multinational companies to access the Mainland China market. He encouraged Hong Kong designers to explore future co-creations with their US counterparts. Hong Kong is a free and competitive economy that benefits from enhanced connectivity created by the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and a high-speed rail system linking Hong Kong to the Mainland. Hong Kong is also well positioned within the Greater Bay Area to help international business bridge the gap between East and West, providing important services for both multinational and Mainland companies seeking to expand their markets, he said. In the evening, Mr Yau joined a networking dinner with leaders of the local design community to establish and reinforce ties between the two creative centres for closer collaborations in design and related areas of mutual interest. Mr Yau will continue his visit programme in San Francisco tomorrow (September 18, US West Coast time).
SCED to visit United States
16.9.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will depart Hong Kong tomorrow (September 17) for a four-day duty visit to San Francisco and Los Angeles in the United States (US). Mr Yau will start his visit in San Francisco. He will officiate at the opening ceremony of the "Co-creating Hong Kong: a design+ exhibition" co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (San Francisco ETO) and the Hong Kong Design Centre, with support from the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) San Francisco. He will attend a VIP reception and dinner hosted by the San Francisco ETO. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Mr Yau will visit the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University (d.school) to learn how the school's design thinking programmes help students develop their creative and innovative abilities. He will visit 500 Startups, a venture capital company, which provides seed accelerator programmes to support startups from around the world. In Los Angeles, Mr Yau will join the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's mega international promotion "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" to promote Hong Kong's business services to US companies seeking opportunities in Asia. He will address the opening session of the "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" symposium and attend its gala dinner. He will speak at a luncheon co-organised by the Milken Institute, a think tank, and the San Francisco ETO. Mr Yau will also officiate at the opening ceremony of a tourism promotion event organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in Los Angeles to showcase the unique tourism offerings of Hong Kong to the US tourism trade. He will officiate at the opening ceremony of the Architecture Exhibition "Island_Peninsula" organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on September 22 morning. The Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development during his absence.