Third AMRO-HKMA-ADBI-SEACEN Financial Leadership Training Program held in Hong Kong
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), in collaboration with the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), and The South East Asian Central Banks (SEACEN) Research and Training Centre (Centre), hosted the third Financial Leadership Training Program (Program) in Hong Kong from August 19 to 22. Building upon the success of the event in the last two years, this year's Program welcomed over 40 senior representatives from central banks, ministries of finance, and related government agencies in the ASEAN+3 and SEACEN member economies as well as international organisations.
The Program aimed at enhancing participants' capabilities in safeguarding regional macroeconomic and financial stability, and providing a platform for attendees to engage in wide-ranging discussions on issues pertinent to the region, enhance their leadership skills, and deepen their professional knowledge. During the Program, participants exchanged views with industry leaders, regulators and academia representatives on topical issues including local currency usage, carbon markets and disaster risk insurance, as well as fintech, artificial intelligence and financial digitalisation.
Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Darryl Chan,said, "The success of this year's Program underscores the deepening collaboration among our regional economies and institutions. By equipping senior public sector officials with skills and insights on pressing economic and financial issues, we are not only strengthening individual capacity, but also building collective resilience across Asia."
About AMRO
AMRO is an international organisation that aims to contribute to the macroeconomic and financial resilience and stability in the ASEAN+3 region.
About ADBI
ADBI is a Tokyo-based think tank of the Asian Development Bank, providing policy research, capacity building, training, and outreach to assist developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
About The SEACEN Centre
The SEACEN Centre has established its unique regional position in serving its membership of central banks in the Asia-Pacific region through its learning programmes, research work, and networking and collaboration platforms for capability building in central banking knowledge.
Third AMRO-HKMA-ADBI-SEACEN Financial Leadership Training Program held in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
Three incoming passengers were sentenced to three to ten months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 each by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (April 23) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
The first case invloved a 40-year-old incoming male passenger. During customs clearance, Customs officers seized 145 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $652,500 and a duty potential of about $479,300, from his personal baggage at Hong Kong International Airport on April 14. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 today.
The second case involved a 20-year-old incoming male passenger. During customs clearance, Customs officers seized 64 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $322,000 and a duty potential of about $212,900, from his personal baggage at Hong Kong International Airport on April 21. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 today.
The third case involved a 29-year-old incoming male passenger. During customs clearance, Customs officers seized 12 588 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $56,600 and a duty potential of about $41,600, from his personal baggage at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (April 22). 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.
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 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
