Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Promotes Cooperation and Investment During Madrid Visit.

FS continues to visit Madrid, Spain (with photos/video)

​The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to Madrid, Spain, yesterday (September 23, Madrid time).

Mr Chan visited the Plenary of the City Council of Madrid yesterday and met with its President, Mr Francisco de Borja Fanjul Fernández-Pita. They exchanged views on strengthening co-operation between the two places. Mr Chan presented the latest developments in Hong Kong across various sectors and noted that, with staunch support from the Central Government, the "One Country, Two Systems" arrangement will continue to be implemented in Hong Kong in the long run. He emphasised that Hong Kong will maintain an international, open and friendly business environment practising the common law. Mr Chan expressed hope for enhancing mutually beneficial co-operation in areas such as finance, innovation and technology (I&T), culture, and education. He also welcomed Spanish enterprises to invest in Hong Kong and leverage it to explore the vast markets of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, broader Mainland China, and Asia.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on the Chinese Ambassador to Spain, Mr Yao Jing. Mr Chan briefed Ambassador Yao the latest situation in Hong Kong, as well as its development direction and strategies. They had in-depth exchanges on topics including economic and trade co-operation between China and Spain, and promoting collaboration in business and I&T between Hong Kong and Spain.

Mr Chan then met with Mr José Moisés Martín Carretero, the Director General of the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación (CDTI). The CDTI provides funding support for projects aligned with Spain's I&T development strategy, and promotes technological co-operation between Spain and other countries and regions. Mr Chan highlighted the progress Hong Kong has made in recent years by investing substantially in I&T, and presented the support provided by Hong Kong's full-spectrum financial services to I&T enterprises and projects at various development stages. They also exchanged ideas on strengthening co-operation on technology projects and the matching of funds with projects.

In the morning, Mr Chan led the delegation of technology startups to visit Wayra, one of Spain's innovation accelerators and venture capital funds, where he met with its investment team leaders. Through its global network, Wayra helps startups connect with technology and capital worldwide and provides guidance to expand their markets. During the meeting, Wayra's technology and investment teams introduced the organisation's operations and development strategies, and both sides discussed ways to promote mutual co-operation. Mr Chan expressed hope that the visit would facilitate better connections between the I&T ecosystems of both places and create more practical collaboration opportunities for their startups.

The Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Peter Lam; the Executive Director of the HKTDC, Ms Margaret Fong; the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Techlogy Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong; the Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, Mr Eric Chan, and the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Shirley Yung, participated in all or parts of the visit above.

Mr Chan will continue his visit in Madrid today (September 24, Madrid time), including attending a themed business luncheon organised by the HKTDC to promote Hong Kong's advantages to local political, business, financial, and innovation communities.

FS continues to visit Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS continues to visit Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS continues to visit Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS continues to visit Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS continues to visit Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS continues to visit Madrid, Spain (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down suspected etomidate and crack cocaine manufacturing centre and seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $10 million

Hong Kong Customs shut down a suspected etomidate and crack cocaine manufacturing centre and seized a batch of suspected etomidate capsules and etomidate capsule raw materials, about 1.2 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 500 grams of suspected crack cocaine, and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing paraphernalia in Tin Shui Wai on January 14. One man and one woman were arrested, and the total estimated market value of the drug seizures amounted to about $10 million.

During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tin Shui Wai in the small hours on January 14, Customs intercepted a 35-year-old man and found 50 suspected etomidate capsules in a paper bag carried by him. The man was arrested immediately and was brought to a nearby premises for a search. Later, Customs officers seized 267 suspected etomidate capsules, about 1.75kg of suspected etomidate powder, about 1.4kg of suspected etomidate oil, about 1.2kg of suspected cocaine, about 500g of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing paraphernalia in the premises. A woman, aged 26 and suspected to be connected with the case, was arrested there.

The arrested persons were jointly charged with two counts of manufacture of a dangerous drug and one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and the arrested man was additionally charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 17).

According to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, manufacture of a dangerous drug and trafficking in a dangerous drug are serious offences. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 shuts down suspected etomidate and crack cocaine manufacturing centre and seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $10 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases