InvestHK Opens Cairo Office to Boost Business Ties with MENA Region

InvestHK strengthens economic ties between Hong Kong and MENA region

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (November 26) that it has opened a new office in Cairo, Egypt, to enhance its effort in attracting companies from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong. It also aims to foster economic and business co-operation with the MENA region.

Attending the seventh HK International Egyptian Folklore and Oriental Dance Festival today, which is supported by the Consulate General of Egypt in Hong Kong, the Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "On this delightful occasion, I am happy to announce that InvestHK has opened a new Cairo office to foster closer economic ties between Hong Kong and Egypt."

She added, "We aim to support corporates in Egypt and the MENA region to establish their businesses in Hong Kong and to further strengthen the business and economic ties between Hong Kong and the MENA region. The opening of our first office in Cairo is a very significant step toward this goal. Corporates from Egypt and the MENA region can make use of Hong Kong as a perfect gateway to Asia and pave the way for a new horizon."

The Principal Consultant of the Cairo office at InvestHK, Mr Sherif El Bidewy, said, "We are honoured to be selected as the consultant of InvestHK in the region to attract local companies setting up or expanding in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has always been one of the most attractive business hubs in Asia and the world for its advanced infrastructure and enabling business environment. We will do our best to assist companies from Egypt and the MENA region to set up or expand in the city."

He added, "In fact, we already arranged a successful visit for the Head of Business and Professional Services at InvestHK, Mr Herman Tse, to Cairo and South Africa last month. It included meetings with various senior government officials and speaking at roundtables and events in the two places to promote Hong Kong as the leading destination for business and investment in the region."

The opening of the new office in Cairo is part of the plan mentioned in the 2024-25 Budget to strengthen Hong Kong's economic and trade relations with the Middle East.

InvestHK strengthens economic ties between Hong Kong and MENA region Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK strengthens economic ties between Hong Kong and MENA region Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK strengthens economic ties between Hong Kong and MENA region Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK strengthens economic ties between Hong Kong and MENA region Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EPD welcomes Office of Ombudsman's direct investigation into issue of illegal disposal of construction waste

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 26) expressed its welcome for the announcement by the Office of the Ombudsman that it will launch a direct investigation into the Government's efforts to tackle illegal disposal of construction waste and related recycling service.

The EPD spokesman said that tackling illegal disposal of construction waste is one of the key enforcement tasks of the EPD. Since 2017, the department has implemented multi-pronged measures including the installation of surveillance camera systems, enhanced departmental collaboration, as well as strengthened law enforcement actions. As a result, the amount of construction waste illegally disposed of in the territory has significantly decreased by 90 per cent from about 9 000 tonnes from the start of action in 2017 to about 1 000 tonnes in 2023 (see Annex). The number of priority sites for tackling fly-tipping of construction waste has decreased from a previous peak of 86 to just eight recently. The most significant improvements have been seen in the Sham Shui Po district.

To further reduce illegal disposal of construction waste, the EPD has commenced a pilot scheme subsidised by the Recycling Fund and led by the trade for collecting and recycling construction waste from small-scale renovation work since 2021, which provides a construction waste collection service for small-scale renovation work of the renovation trade, thereby reducing at source illegal disposal of construction waste. Up to October 2024, the pilot scheme has provided more than 13 000 collection services and around 4 700 tonnes of construction waste have been collected. Should the above-mentioned service be not in place, a significant portion of the construction waste from the renovation work would probably have been disposed illegally.

The spokesperson said, "The EPD will fully assist with the Office of the Ombudsman's investigation, and we hope that constructive and cost-effective measures can be identified, thereby further improving the illegal construction waste disposal situation."