Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ 2025 Launch Ceremony today (May 16):

Jack (EY China Chairman, Mr Jack Chan), distinguished guests, fellow entrepreneurs, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to join you today to celebrate the official launch of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2025 programme here in Hong Kong – and to mark the significant milestone of its 20th anniversary in the Greater China region.
 
     Over the past two decades, this programme has honoured visionary leaders who have not only built successful businesses but also inspired transformation, resilience, and innovation across industries. At the heart of every one of these stories is the spirit of entrepreneurship – the courage to dream, the drive to transform, and the determination to create meaningful change.
      
     In many ways, these qualities mirror the story of Hong Kong itself. As Asia’s premier financial centre, Hong Kong is a place where bold ideas flourish into global businesses. With our open and internationalised market, common law system, free flow of capital and information, and a world-class talent pool, we provide one of the most dynamic platforms for entrepreneurs to launch, scale, and succeed.
      
     We are also evolving with the times. As our country continues to advance high-quality development, Hong Kong is seizing new opportunities – from promoting green and sustainable finance, to accelerating digital transformation and Web3 innovation.
      
     To support this vision, the Government is undertaking a series of strategic initiatives to foster new quality productive forces. These include strengthening our capital markets, enhancing cross-boundary financial connectivity under the Greater Bay Area, and promoting emerging sectors such as green fintech, virtual assets, and artificial intelligence.
      
     But at the core of this transformation is our unwavering support for entrepreneurs – especially those in small and medium enterprises, the true backbone of our economy.
      
     We are facilitating access to finance for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) through platforms such as the Commercial Data Interchange, which enables businesses to share their data with banks to unlock trade financing opportunities. Over 50 000 loan applications, amounting to $41.9 billion, have already been processed since the launch of the Interchange.
      
     We are nurturing innovation ecosystems with tools like Fintech Connect, which bridges financial institutions with cutting-edge fintech solution providers. On green finance, we have launched the Green and Sustainable Fintech Proof-of-Concept Funding Scheme, supporting 60 pioneering projects with early-stage funding.
      
     And we are investing in talent development – from training subsidies for fintech practitioners, to capacity-building schemes in green and sustainable finance. These efforts not only empower individuals but also expand the talent pipeline for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
      
     Entrepreneurship is also about vision – not only seeing what others don’t, but also at the same time believing in what could be done. That is why we are also embracing frontier technologies. The Generative AI Sandbox, co-launched by the HKMA (Hong Kong Monetary Authority) and Cyberport, is helping banks test innovations in a risk-managed environment so as to enhance fraud prevention, compliance, and customer service across the sector.
      
     We are also laying the groundwork for the future of digital finance, including a regulatory regime for stablecoins and a forthcoming policy statement on the development of virtual assets – all designed to support responsible innovation while safeguarding market integrity.
      
     Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate two decades of EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme, we are reminded that entrepreneurship is not just about building businesses; it’s about building a better future. Hong Kong will continue to stand with our entrepreneurs, as a launchpad for ideas, a platform for innovation, and a partner in growth.
      
     I would like to thank EY, Jack and his team for its unwavering commitment to recognising and empowering entrepreneurial leaders, and I look forward to seeing this year’s nominees continue to push boundaries and turn bold aspirations into reality. Thank you, and I wish the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2025 programme every success. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
     
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold the second and third public hearings on “Management of Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme by the Buildings Department” (Chapter 4) of the Director of Audit’s Report No. 84 next Monday (May 19) at 9am and 2.30pm respectively in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex.

     Four witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearings to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by the PAC members.
 
     The programme for the public hearings is as follows:

Subject: Management of Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme by the Buildings Department
(Chapter 4 of the Director of Audit’s Report No. 84)
Date: May 19 (Monday)
Time: 9am and 2.30pm
Venue: Conference Room 1

Witnesses:
Ms Bernadette Linn
Secretary for Development

Mrs Elina Chan
Deputy Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands)2

Mr Ho Chun-hung
Director of Buildings

Ms Pelene Ng
Deputy Director of Buildings

     The PAC is chaired by Mr Shiu Ka-fai, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Paul Tse. Other members are Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Mr Luk Chung-hung, Mr Edmund Wong, Mr Louis Loong and Ms Carmen Kan. read more

     The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) has expressed concern over the illegal hire car services provided by online car hailing platforms. The Government will meet with representatives of the platforms today (May 16) to reiterate that their operations must comply with the law.

     The TLB, the Transport Department and the taxi trade had an in-depth meeting yesterday (May 15) for about two hours. The Government paid heed to the trade’s views on improving taxi service quality, regulating online car hailing platforms and combating the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward. Both parties engaged in a frank exchange of views.

     After the meeting, the TLB received a petition letter and signatures from the taxi trade. The TLB will carefully review them and maintain close communication with the trade. Regarding the legislative proposal on the regulation of online car hailing platforms, the TLB is pressing ahead at full speed, with a view to ensuring that the public and tourists can enjoy safe and convenient point-to-point services. read more

     The Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2025 (Info Expo), organised by the Education Bureau (EDB), will be held from 10am to 6pm on May 23 and 24 (Friday and Saturday) at Hall 1B of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. 
      
     A spokesman for the EDB said today (May 16), “The Info Expo aims to provide the latest information on multiple pathways for senior secondary school students, parents and teachers; and to help students make good preparations for different articulation and career plans. Around 30 post-secondary institutions and organisations will set up exhibition booths to provide information on locally accredited post-secondary programmes (including programmes eligible for various government subsidy schemes as well as vocational and professional education and training programmes and applied degree programmes), the Diploma of Applied Education programmes, as well as relevant online platforms such as the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS), the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP), the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education (Concourse), and the Qualifications Framework.”
      
     In addition, Hok Yau Club, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, and the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association will offer studies and career guidance services to students.
      
     There will also be talks on multiple pathways, preparation and strategies for articulation to post-secondary education, and experience sharing by post-secondary students. Institution and industry representatives will also provide first-hand information about various programmes and career development. 

     Admission is free and prior registration is not required. There are interactive games at the EDB’s booth. Participants who have completed designated tasks will receive a gift while stocks last.

     For details of the Info Expo (such as the schedule of activities and the list of exhibitors), please visit the event website at www.cspe.edu.hk/en/Resources-CareerGuidance-MultiplePathwaysExpo.html. read more

     The following list of general holidays for 2026 is gazetted today (May 16) for public information:
 

Every Sunday		Sunday
The first day of January	January 1	Thursday
Lunar New Year’s Day	February 17	Tuesday
The second day of Lunar New Year	February 18	Wednesday
The third day of Lunar New Year	February 19	Thursday
Good Friday	April 3	Friday
The day following Good Friday	April 4	Saturday
The day following Ching Ming Festival	April 6	Monday
The day following Easter Monday	April 7	Tuesday
Labour Day	May 1	Friday
The day following the Birthday of the Buddha	May 25	Monday
Tuen Ng Festival	June 19	Friday
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day	July 1	Wednesday
The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival	September 26	Saturday
National Day	October 1	Thursday
The day following Chung Yeung Festival	October 19	Monday
Christmas Day	December 25	Friday
The first weekday after Christmas Day	December 26	Saturday

 
     A Government spokesman said, “As the Ching Ming Festival in 2026 falls on a Sunday, the following day will be designated as a general holiday in substitution. In this connection, as the day following the Ching Ming Festival falls on Easter Monday, the next day that is not itself a general holiday will be observed as an additional general holiday. Moreover, as the Birthday of the Buddha and the Chung Yeung Festival in 2026 both fall on a Sunday, the day following them will be designated as a general holiday in substitution.” read more