â€‹The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, today (March 17) commenced his visit to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait City in Kuwait and Doha in Qatar to promote Hong Kong as the favourable global business platform.

     Mr Phillips will meet chiefs of conglomerates in a wide array of sectors ranging from real estate development to advertising, social media, supply-chain management, new energy, banking, health care, innovation and retail, plus heads of government bodies in areas of financial investment, investment promotion and port and airport operation as well as representatives of chamber of commerce.

     During the meetings, he will update the executives on the newly released Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which confirms Hong Kong’s leading international status in various arenas. He will also introduce the latest developments of the respective sectors in Hong Kong and various tax incentives offered by the Government to encourage companies to set up in Hong Kong and boost spending on research and development.

     Mr Phillips said, "The Central Government recently announced the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The document sets out clearly Hong Kong's multiple roles as the international financial, transportation and trade centre, an international aviation hub, a global offshore Renminbi business hub and an international asset management centre and risk management centre. It also encourages Hong Kong to develop high-end and high value-added financial, commercial and trading, logistics and professional services; develop the innovation and technology industries; nurture emerging industries; and establish itself as the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. These areas of work are all conducive to developing Hong Kong further as an international metropolis with enhanced competitiveness."

     He added, "The Outline Development Plan will position Hong Kong as an even more favourable business platform for foreign companies that aim to develop a reliable foothold in the Asia-Pacific region and have access to the massive and vibrant Greater Bay Area market."

     The Greater Bay Area covers nine cities in Guangdong Province, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing, as well as the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao. It is an enormous market with a population of 70 million and a gross domestic product of US$1.5 trillion.

About Invest Hong Kong
     
     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (March 19) to consider two applications for renewal of liquor licences on Hong Kong Island.

     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Little Birdy in Sheung Wan
F.A.B. in Central
 
     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend, except during the private session on confidential items.
 

     As Kwun Tong transforms itself into a business area, a revitalised park in the middle of the district serves as a reminder of Hong Kong's industrial past. Artworks representing iconic items that were once made in Hong Kong decorate the newly revamped InPARK, harking back to the days when the district was a key industrial area.
 
     News.gov.hk spoke to three of the artists whose works are on display and the head of the Art Promotion Office to learn about how the revitalisation of the former Tsun Yip Street Playground has enhanced the vibrancy of public spaces in the area.
 
     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (March 17) in both text and video format.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting today (March 17).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.