Hong Kong Hosts Seminar in Helsinki to Attract Global Talent Through Top Talent Pass Scheme

London ETO and Hong Kong Talent Engage promote talent initiatives in Helsinki

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) and Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) supported the Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme seminar held at the University of Helsinki on October 3 (Helsinki time). The event was organised by LearnInFinland Oy and Helsinki Alumni.

The Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, delivered the welcome remarks. Mr Law said, "Talent is the cornerstone of our future. At the end of 2022, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government introduced new talent admission programmes and enhanced existing ones. For example, the Top Talent Pass Scheme, which welcomes graduates from global top universities to explore opportunities in the city. We are eager to expand Hong Kong's talent pool with bright minds from Finland, enriching the cosmopolitan energy of our city."

Also speaking virtually at the seminar, the Director of HKTE, Mr Anthony Lau, highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantages and enormous opportunities as well as various talent admission schemes to attract talent with diverse backgrounds from around the world to pursue development in Hong Kong.

"HKTE aims to develop strategic engagement plans to trawl for talent worldwide, and provide comprehensive one-stop support services to assist talent in their long-term development in Hong Kong," Mr Lau said. He added that HKTE will continue to step up the global promotion of Hong Kong's dual role as an international talent hub and the country's gateway for talent to attract more high-calibre talent from all over the world to Hong Kong.

The seminar also featured a sharing session by the Vice-Chairman of the Finland-Hong Kong Business Association, Mr Pertti Jalasvirta, on his experience of working in Hong Kong as an expat. A reception was held following the seminar for around 60 guests including students and graduates attending the seminar, representatives from the University of Helsinki, as well as professionals from the business and education sectors.

London ETO and Hong Kong Talent Engage promote talent initiatives in Helsinki Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO and Hong Kong Talent Engage promote talent initiatives in Helsinki Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO and Hong Kong Talent Engage promote talent initiatives in Helsinki Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO and Hong Kong Talent Engage promote talent initiatives in Helsinki Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO and Hong Kong Talent Engage promote talent initiatives in Helsinki Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO and Hong Kong Talent Engage promote talent initiatives in Helsinki Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs combats provision of infringing karaoke songs by party rooms in course of business

Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Magpie" between December 9 and yesterday (December 20) to combat illegal activities involving party room operators providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business.

Through intelligence analysis and with the assistance of copyright owners, Customs earlier identified a number of party rooms suspected of possessing and providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business. Customs officers then took enforcement action and raided 15 party rooms in various districts, including Tuen Mun, Kwai Chung, Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay. A total of 16 sets of karaoke devices used for playing suspected infringing songs, one set of game console with suspected pirated electronic games, and a batch of audio and video equipment were seized. The total estimated market value is approximately $400,000. Three men aged between 31 and 40, were arrested for being suspected of contravening the Copyright Ordinance. They were all persons-in-charge of the party rooms. The investigation is ongoing and further arrest may be made.

Customs reminds business operators to comply with the Copyright Ordinance and to make enquiries to copyright owners on matters relating to the use of musical visual recordings in the course of business.

Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of infringing activities to safeguard the rights of copyright owners.

Under the Ordinance, any person, who without the licence of the copyright owner of a copyright work, possesses infringing copies of a copyright work for the purpose of, or in the course of, any trade or business with the view to it being used by any person commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.

Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs combats provision of infringing karaoke songs by party rooms in course of business Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs combats provision of infringing karaoke songs by party rooms in course of business Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases