FS begins visit to Madrid, Spain (with photos/video)
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, arrived in Madrid, Spain, yesterday (September 22, Madrid time) and began his visit.
Mr Chan led a group of local tech startups to visit Spain's innovation organisation, Spain Startup and meet with its President, Ms Maria Benjumea, and representatives from its partner, IE University of Spain. Spain Startup is the organiser of the renowned innovation and entrepreneurship event South Summit, which has been running since 2012, bringing together startups, tech talents, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world. Through a variety of programmes, including startup competitions, networking events, and workshops, it offers startups opportunities to build global networks, exchange knowledge, and connect with investors. The South Summit event has now expanded to Brazil.
Spain Startup has indicated that it is actively considering organising an Asian version of the South Summit. Mr Chan said Hong Kong welcomes the event to be hosted in Hong Kong to attract startups and investors from the Mainland, particularly the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as the broader Asian region, and he will instruct relevant departments to follow up actively.
Also joining the innovation and technology delegation on the visit to Europe are the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong, and the Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, Mr Eric Chan.
Mr Chan will continue his visit in Madrid today (September 23, Madrid time).
FS begins visit to Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products
Three incoming passengers were sentenced to between three to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 4) and today (May 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers, aged 34 and 38, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on May 1 and seized around 37 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with a market value of about $188,000 and a duty potential of about $124,000, as well as around 85 000 alternative smoking products, with a market value of about $229,000, from their personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. They were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 yesterday.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 24, at HKIA yesterday. Customs officers seized about 30 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $121,000 and a duty potential of about $98,000. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 today.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes 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 $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
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).
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
