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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 13) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.
Hongkong Post today (December 13) reminded members of the public that the latest posting date of Christmas mail for local delivery before Christmas Day is December 20 (Thursday). Postings after this date might run the risk of not being delivered in time because of anticipated seasonal work pressure. Members of the public are advised to post as early as possible to avoid a last-minute rush.
A man who went missing in Tsing Yi has been located.
Shek Ming-kwun, aged 81, went missing after he left his residence in Cheung Wang Estate, Tsing Yi on December 11 morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.
The man was located in Cheung Wang Estate last night (December 12). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.
The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, said today (December 12) that recent surveys showed that the city remains a magnet for overseas and Mainland businesses while its start-up ecosystem is thriving.
Mr Phillips said, "Hong Kong continues to attract and retain leading overseas and Mainland companies, as well as entrepreneurs from around the globe setting up leading edge and innovative businesses. Factors that attract world-class investment include Hong Kong's strategic position in the region as well as its international status as a sophisticated business and financial city with a business-friendly environment. Companies are increasingly seizing new opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.
"Hong Kong's startup ecosystem has skyrocketed in the last few years. The results showed that as at November 2018, the number of startups grew by 18 per cent year on year, and jobs created surged by 51 per cent.
"The startup community is also highly international, with 35 per cent of founders coming from outside Hong Kong. Vibrant sectors include fintech, followed by e-commerce/supply chain management/logistics technology, professional or consultancy services, information, computers and and technology."
According to the 2018 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong with Parent Companies Located Outside Hong Kong jointly conducted by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Census and Statistics Department, the number of business operations in Hong Kong with parent companies overseas and in Mainland China climbed 6.4 per cent to 8 754 in 2018, compared to 8 225 a year ago. The 8 754 respondent companies comprised 1 530 operating as regional headquarters (RHQs), 2 425 as regional offices (ROs) and 4 799 as local offices (LOs). The number of RHQs showed a robust growth of 8.3 per cent from 1 413 last year, revealing the key role Hong Kong plays for many businesses across Asia.
In terms of jobs, the number of people engaged by the companies reached an all-time high at 485 000, compared to 443 000 in 2017. In terms of source country/territory, Mainland China ranked first with 1 591 companies, followed by Japan (1 393), the United States (1 351), the United Kingdom (712) and Singapore (427).
The survey also collected views on the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a location for setting up businesses. Favourable factors included "simple tax system and low tax rate" (67 per cent), "free flow of information" (62 per cent), "free port status" (59 per cent) and "geographical location" (59 per cent).
In addition, InvestHK's 2018 Annual Start-up Survey found that there were 2 625 startups operating in major public and private co-work spaces and incubators, up 18 per cent from 2 229 in 2017. Together these startups employed 9 548 people, a 51 per cent rise over 6 320 in 2017. Of the founders, 62 per cent were from Hong Kong, and 35 per cent from outside Hong Kong, of whom 17 per cent came from the UK, 16 per cent from the US, 12 per cent from Mainland China and 9 per cent from Australia. Major sectors included fintech (16 per cent), followed by e-commerce/supply chain management/logistics technology (11 per cent), professional or consultancy services (11 per cent), information, computer and technology (10 per cent).
About InvestHK
InvestHK 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 Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) held the "Belt and Road: Hong Kong – IN" Forum today (December 12) to explore how professionals and start-ups might use Hong Kong as a springboard for the Belt and Road markets. More than 650 professionals from various service sectors including accounting, insurance and risk management, finance, infrastructure and related construction, legal and dispute resolution, project management, as well as business and industrial representatives and young innovation and technology entrepreneurs, participated in the Forum.
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Huang Liuquan, delivered opening remarks at the Forum.
Mrs Lam said that the Belt and Road Initiative involves manifold infrastructure projects such as airports, railways, ports and energy, as well as the development of Economic and Trade Co-operation Zones and new cities. Professionals and entrepreneurs from different sectors can capitalise on Hong Kong's edge in professional services and their own expertise by participating in these projects, fully demonstrating Hong Kong's "can do" spirit.
At the sharing session of the Forum, the Executive Chairman of the Alibaba Group, Mr Jack Ma, offered his insights from the perspective of private enterprises on leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages in professional services and expertise to serve as the launch-pad into the Belt and Road markets. In particular, he shared with the audience Belt and Road opportunities that are available for young professionals and those areas where they might make a contribution. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, was the moderator of the sharing session.
Following the Forum, Mrs Lam, Mr Huang, Mr Yau and Mr Ma, together with the President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Professor Timothy Tong, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, Mr Gao Yingxin, officiated at the inauguration of the Belt and Road Cross-Professional Advancement Programme.
The Belt and Road Cross-Professional Advancement Programme, which is undertaken by PolyU with funding support from the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme managed by the CEDB, seeks to better equip Hong Kong professionals in meeting the challenges and grasping the opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative.
Through collaboration with the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association and other Hong Kong professional associations, workshops and cross-professional networking and sharing sessions will be organised under the Programme, which will initially last for 12 months. Hong Kong professionals will be connected with business leaders and academics from Belt and Road-related countries and regions. Programme participants will be able to network, share knowledge and collaborate in aspects of the Belt and Road, while at the same time utilising the strengths of Hong Kong professional services, thereby facilitating the partnership between professionals and businesses in grasping Belt and Road opportunities together.
