InvestHK Hosts Seminar in Mumbai to Promote Business Opportunities in Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area

InvestHK, HKETO Singapore and HKTDC jointly hold seminar in India to promote Hong Kong's business advantages and opportunities

​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (HKETO Singapore) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) jointly held a seminar yesterday (April 23, Mumbai time) in Mumbai as part of Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Charles Ng's duty visit to India.

During the duty visit to Mumbai and Delhi, Mr Ng had fruitful discussions with a number of large family businesses, large enterprises, family offices, business founders and entrepreneurs from across different sectors to explain the unique benefits of the "one country, two systems" framework, conveying the advantages and business and investment opportunities available to them in Hong Kong and the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The Director of Trade and Investment Promotion, World Trade Center Mumbai, Ms Priya Pansare, said, "At World Trade Center Mumbai, we are delighted to explore synergies with InvestHK to foster stronger economic linkages between India and Hong Kong. This collaboration presents a valuable opportunity to bridge markets, promote cross-border investments, and enable businesses from both economies to grow through shared knowledge, innovation, and trade facilitation."

The seminar cohosted by InvestHK, the HKETO Singapore and the HKTDC in Mumbai yesterday, entitled Gateway to Growth: Exploring Business & Investment Opportunities in and via Hong Kong, brought together local senior executives, entrepreneurs, and partners to discuss the benefits of using Hong Kong as a gateway for expansion into Mainland China and across Asia. It commenced with opening remarks by the Director of the HKETO Singapore, Mr Owin Fung, and the Regional Director of South East Asia and South Asia of the HKTDC, Mr Ronald Ho, followed by a presentation on Hong Kong's dynamic capital market and the abundant investment opportunities it offers, delivered by Mr Ng.

During his opening speech, Mr Fung emphasised Hong Kong's benefits to Indian businesses. He said, "As an international financial, trade and shipping centre, Hong Kong has long thrived under the 'one country, two systems' principle. This enables Hong Kong to play the pivotal role as a 'super connector' and a 'super value-adder' to facilitate Indian businesses expanding into the GBA and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations markets."

During the presentation, Mr Ng underscored Hong Kong's status as a premier international financial and business hub, spotlighting the city's vibrant start-up ecosystem, robust capital markets, and free flow of information, talent, and capital. He also highlighted the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, which offers high-net-worth individuals and their families an attractive pathway to residency in Hong Kong. Mr Ng said, "It has been a genuine privilege to engage with India's forward-looking business community and showcase the latest developments in Hong Kong. We are keen to support more Indian companies in learning more about Hong Kong's strategic position, robust capital markets, and diverse talent pool, enabling them to expand across Asia - and ultimately, beyond."

InvestHK, HKETO Singapore and HKTDC jointly hold seminar in India to promote Hong Kong's business advantages and opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK, HKETO Singapore and HKTDC jointly hold seminar in India to promote Hong Kong's business advantages and opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming driver convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

A 49-year-old incoming male driver was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (May 15) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers and police officers of the Airport Police District mounted a joint anti-illicit cigarette operation on January 17 at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and intercepted an inbound private car which was declared to be empty. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 30 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from the hollow spaces of the doors, under the seats, in the centre console and the rear compartment. The driver was subsequently arrested and the private car was also seized. The estimated market value of the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized in the case was about $150,000 and the duty potential was about $99,000.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Incoming driver convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases