â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (May 16) that, as advised by the postal administration of Pakistan, mail delivery services previously impacted by events in the region have returned to normal.

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (May 16) that Japanese handcrafted eyewear brand, Kaneko Optical, has upgraded its Hong Kong office to an international headquarters as a base for global expansion with an opening of its second concept store in Tsim Sha Tsui, following the successful launch of its first directly managed store in Central in November last year.
      
     The Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Mr Arnold Lau, said, "We are delighted to see the expansion of Kaneko Optical in Hong Kong, just five months after its first launch in the city. It shows confidence not only in Hong Kong's status as a global hub for international brands but also in our advantages as a global supply chain management hub."
      
     The Chief Executive Officer of Japan Eyewear Holdings Hong Kong and Japan Eyewear Holdings International, and Director & Head of Global Operations of Kaneko Optical, Mr Toru Akita, indicated that Hong Kong is not only a retail market for the company but also a strategic hub for its international supply chain.
      
     Mr Akita said, "Our Hong Kong office will serve as an international headquarters spearheading the brand's overseas branding and merchandising operations, including our existing wholesale destinations in over 20 countries, as of the end of 2024. In addition, it will gradually take charge of the company's international sales development and corporate treasury management outside of Japan."
      
     He added, "Hong Kong has a rich variety of retail scenarios that we want to tap into. The new concept store in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is our largest presence outside of Japan, will open up new business ties at emerging markets through the growing number of ASEAN, Middle East tourists."
      
     He explained, "One thing we learned after launching our first concept store in Central is the brilliant mix of high-net worth professionals from different parts of the world. Their spending habits and preferences fit well with our market position, and our brand image gets to spread wide through their international networks."
      
     Founded in 1958 as an eyeglass wholesaler, Kaneko Optical has become a recognised trendsetter in the Japanese eyewear industry. With its own planning, design, and sales of eyewear brands, it actively collaborates with major collections and apparel manufacturers to create original brands.
      
     For more information about Kaneko Optical, please visit www.kaneko-optical.co.jp/en.
      
     To get a copy of the photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720326093396.

    

     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.

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.

     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.