Legislative Councillor for the Technology & Innovation Functional Constituency Duncan Chiu believes the Middle East can be a fertile market for Hong Kong tech companies looking to expand overseas.
Mr Chiu will be part of Chief Executive John Lee’s delegation on a visit to Qatar and Kuwait from Saturday and hopes the trip can provide insights into the two countries’ technology needs. Noting that both countries are reliant on imported technology, he stressed that Hong Kong companies’ strengths in areas such as artificial intelligence, life sciences and chip design mean they have much to offer the Middle Eastern market.
Chief Executive John Lee.
“I know that some Hong Kong people, especially people I know in the tech sector, they have moved to Qatar and were involved in the operation of the Tech Park (Qatar Science & Technology Park) and other university involvements,” he said. “Qatar is quite keen to have collaboration with Hong Kong and Mainland China in tech collaborations, not just in the purchasing of technology, but also collaboration in research and development.”
With the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government setting up a $10 billion Innovation & Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, Mr Chiu anticipates such funds can open the door to new investment in Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector from the sizeable sovereign wealth funds in Qatar and Kuwait.
Mr Chiu also plans to invite stakeholders from Qatar and Kuwait to visit Hong Kong.
Legislative Councillor for the Technology & Innovation Functional Constituency Duncan Chiu.
“We have put in a lot of resources and efforts in Hong Kong in building up the tech ecosystem. So, I want to first let them know what has been happening in Hong Kong. And second, I would like to invite them to join our conferences and exhibitions in Hong Kong in August.”
In the past two years, Mr Chiu has organised return visits to Hong Kong after accompanying the Chief Executive on trips to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states.
He said Hong Kong companies have successfully recruited talent and expanded their operations in Singapore and Indonesia as a result of these exchanges, adding that he hopes to replicate this approach in relation to the Middle East.
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. 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 detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
