The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, today (March 4) embarked on visits in Astana in Kazakhstan, Moscow in Russia and Istanbul in Turkey as part of Invest Hong Kong's sustained overseas efforts to update local businesspeople on the diverse opportunities Hong Kong has to offer.

     Mr Phillips will meet leaders of companies and institutions in a wide range of sectors including financial services and other innovation and technology industries such as smart city and data analytics, plus those in the business associations and chambers as well as investment promotion counterparts. During the meetings, he will introduce the latest developments of the respective sectors in Hong Kong and various tax incentives offered by the Government to encourage companies setting up in Hong Kong and spending on research and development. He will also speak at an event hosted by the Turkey – Hong Kong Business Council of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK).

     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 ideal platform for foreign companies that aim to have 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 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.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (March 4) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (March 4) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Hongkong Post announced today (March 4) that two stamp sheetlets on the theme "West Kowloon Cultural District – Xiqu Centre" and associated philatelic products will be released for sale on March 19 (Tuesday).
 
     The Xiqu Centre is the first landmark venue for performing arts in the West Kowloon Cultural District and its opening marks a new era in the district's development. The mission of the Xiqu Centre is to preserve, promote and develop the art of Chinese traditional theatre, to nurture the local form of Cantonese opera and to promote other forms of xiqu. Hongkong Post is issuing two stamp sheetlets to commemorate this momentous occasion.
 
     From tomorrow (March 5), Official First Day Covers will be put on sale at $1.30 each at all post offices and the stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from tomorrow to March 11. 
 
     Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk and via the Hongkong Post mobile app.