At a seminar in Venice on 21 October, HKETO, Brussels promoted business opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and invited Italian university students and entrepreneurs to consider working in Hong Kong, which is an enjoyable place to live and work. HKETO, Brussels and Create Hong Kong also supported the screening of Hong Kong films at the 18th edition of the Asian Film Festival.  

Acting Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Mr Henry Tsoi, gave a presentation to 300 students at the Career's Day of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece as part of efforts of HKETO, Brussels to reach out to students in Europe to promote various talent admission schemes in Hong Kong and the latest initiatives which make it easier for talents to go to live and work in Hong Kong.  More about career opportunties in Hong Kong. 

Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the EU, Mr Eddie Cheung, shared the initiatives in the Chief Executive's Policy Address with Dutch students and members of the Hong Kong community in the Netherlands during a visit to Groningen and Amsterdam.  More information.

At a meeting in Madrid with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the EU, Mr Eddie Cheung, highlighted Innovation and Technology and cultural industries initiatives in the Policy Address.  As a stepping stone to Asian markets, Hong Kong is an ideal testing ground for Spanish entrepreneurs. The Science Park and our robust IP regime provide a safe and fertile field for R&D.  More.

Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the EU, Mr Eddie Cheung, told entrepreneurs and investors Hong Kong is an important financing centre for start-ups, with venture capitalists, private equities and family offices as sources of funding for entrepreneurs. Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science Park are clusters of innovative companies and incubators for start-ups. Hong Kong has a strong IP protection regime and the city's role as an international dispute resolution centre provides additional comfort to innovative start-ups to domicile there.  More info.

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mrs Carrie Lam, delivered her fifth annual Policy Address, the last of this term of Government, to the Legislative Council on Wednesday 6 October 2021.  The Policy Address outlines some major initiatives to give new impetus to the economy and make Hong Kong a safe, green, liveable and innovational international city.  More information.

With the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels and Create Hong Kong, seven Hong Kong films are being screened at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.  They include two recent, acclaimed productions, Soi Cheang’s “Limbo” and Kin Long Chan’s “Hand Rolled Cigarette” (pictured), and five classic genre films presented as part of a “Black Magic Retrospective”.  More.

Opportunities in biotech and logistics in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area were the topic of business seminars in Brussels and Rotterdam. In Brussels, Mr Luc Lammens of Innofocus shared his insight on why Hong Kong, in just three years, has become the second largest listing venue for biotech pioneers. In Rotterdam, promising Dutch entrepreneurs described how companies are harnessing innovative solutions to prepare for emerging trends and major changes in the logistics industry.  

A new report published by the Hong Kong SAR Government sets out Hong Kong’s business environment and advantages following the events of the past two years.  Financial Secretary Mr Paul Chan (left), said there will be unlimited business opportunities for enterprises in Hong Kong, with the National 14th Five-Year Plan, together with the Greater Bay Area, providing new impetus for economic development. The Government will strive for policy innovation to assist enterprises to capitalise on the new potential.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and the Hong Kong Tourism Board are promoting Hong Kong as a nature and adventure destination at the 5th international adventure film festival, What a trip!, in Montpellier. The French festival aims to foster a better understanding of the world through travelling.  For the first time, a Hong Kong booth was set up at the festival's travel fair and on 24 September, a conference will be held on Hong Kong as a holiday destination.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels joined hands with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to bring Hong Kong gastronomy to the Asia Street Market at the 5th Lyon Street Food Festival.  Visitors could try authentic Hong Kong delights prepared by two local Chinese restaurants and take part in HK cultural activities like martial arts and cooking workshops.  The Lyon Street Food Festival welcomed more than 30 000 visitors in 2019.

HKETO, Brussels held a business seminar in Bisceglie in the Apulia region of south Italy on 10 September with the support of InvestHK and the HKTDC.   The annual business seminar in the margins of the Salento International Film Festival is an opportunity to reach out to local entrepreneurs and to promote Hong Kong's Talent List and the career opportunities the city offers to professionals.  HKETO, Brussels also supported a Hong Kong film event at the Salento International Film Festival.

The completion of the pavement of the Third Runway to be commissioned in 2022 marks a mayor milestone for Hong Kong International Airport's Three-Runway System (3RS) project.  Other works, including the expansion of Terminal 2 (T2), construction of the T2 Concourse, a new automated people mover system and high-speed baggage handling system will be completed in 2024.  After its expansion, the airport will be able to handle an annual passenger and cargo volume of around 120 million and 10 million tonnes respectively, enabling Hong Kong to enhance its status as an international aviation hub. More information.

With the support of the Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels and Invest Hong Kong hosted a reception for the local business community and government officials, to strengthen economic ties.  Hong Kong’s role as the gateway to tap business opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was highlighted, as was the city's vibrant innovation and technology community and the Government’s supporting policies which make Hong Kong the perfect testing ground for international business collaboration and for start-ups. Hong Kong's rich cultural life also makes it an attractive place to live, to work and to study.

Four Hong Kong films will be screened during the 18th Salento International Film Festival held at Politeama Italia, Via Montello 2, Bisceglie.  They are Herman Yau’s Shock Wave 2, and Wong Kar-wai’s Happy Together, In the Mood for Love and Chungking Express.  The annual Hong Kong Business Meeting will be held at 5.30pm on Friday 17 September for companies interested in exploring the opportunities offered by Hong Kong as an ideal platform to enter Asian markets.  Registration is free but compulsory. 

From 9 August 2021, Hong Kong residents, as well as fully vaccinated non-Hong Kong residents who have not stayed in specified high-risk places during the 21 days before the day of boarding for/arrival at Hong Kong, may enter Hong Kong, subject to the fulfillment of relevant boarding requirements and compliance with quarantine measures after arrival.  More information.

The Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2021 was introduced into the Legislative Council on 14 April 2021.  Find a clear, concise layman's guide to Hong Kong's new electoral system here. 

"Hong Kong is an ideal platform for Edtech companies. The city offers a world-class business environment, unmatched financial and operational support and excellent technical infrastructures to support innovation and business on a global scale." Learn all the details in our WEBINAR  EdTech in HK: Join the education revolution in Asia, at 10.00am CET on 21 April, organized by InvestHK and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Brussels, Berlin and London.   

In light of Hong Kong’s pledge to strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, discussed prospects for European technology in contributing to a greener and carbon-neutral Hong Kong during a webinar on 19 March 2021 with more than 170 entrepreneurs and business executives from different European countries. More information.

The global art market, like every other industry, was greatly impacted by COVID-19 in 2020. Art fairs and auctions were cancelled, and artists and galleries saw sales decline. Hong Kong’s art market and scene, however, remains remarkably resilient. With its dynamic art ecosystem, the city has maintained its position as Asia’s art capital. See here how Hong Kong’s art market and cultural scene not just survived, but thrived amidst the pandemic, as explained by art industry players. 

If you would like to know how to tap the green business opportunities in Hong Kong for European companies, don't miss this webinar at 10:00-11:00 on Friday 19 March 2021. Speakers will be Mr WONG Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government, who will introduce the first road map of Hong Kong on the popularisation of EVs, as well as the recent Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035. Two speakers will share their experiences in setting up state-of-the-art waste-to-energy/resources facilities in Hong Kong: Mr Ivan CHRISTIAENS, General Manager of Keppel Seghers Belgium NV, and Dr Axel SCHWEITZER, Chief Executive Officer of ALBA Group plc & Co. KG.  Sign up and send in your questions.  More information.

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mrs Carrie Lam, highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantages for doing business and shared prospects for overseas firms establishing in Hong Kong during an online dialogue with more than 700 entrepreneurs and business executives from different corners of continental Europe. Mrs Lam was joined by Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing; and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui.   More information and video.

Our latest newsletter highlights the key initiatives and measures which support Hong Kong to not only whether the unprecedented challenges, but also strive ahead with renewed perseverance.  We are also happy to present in the newsletter multi-faceted achievements of Hong Kong which showcase that the city is an international metropolis full of vibrancy, vitality, diversity and opportunities. 

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mrs Carrie Lam, delivered her annual Policy Address on 25 November 2020.  The HKSAR will strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.  There are other measures to facilitate business to access the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) through Hong Kong.  More information.

Mr Thomas Gnocchi (right) will take up the post as the Head of EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao in early September 2020.  Before Mr Gnocchi's departure for Hong Kong, Mr Eddie Cheung (left), the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, received him at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels.  Mr Cheung presented a souvenir to Mr Gnocchi, wishing him settling well in Hong Kong and looking forward to working closely with him to further the close ties between Hong Kong and the EU.

Due to the special measures announced by the Belgian government to halt the spread of coronavirus, most of the staff of this office are working from home.  We will try our best to respond to enquiries as soon as possible but there could be a certain delay due to the special circumstances.  We appreciate your kind understanding.

A new cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Pilot Scheme is set to boost the financial services industry in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and reinforce Hong Kong’s role as the leading offshore Renminbi hub. It will become the fourth cross-boundary investment channel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, after those links in the stock and bond markets. It will also be the first scheme focussing on the GBA.  Press Release.