Hong Kong signs MOU with Saudi Arabia on Belt and Road collaboration
The Belt and Road Office (BRO) and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (August 29) to enhance information exchange in relation to the fields of infrastructure and construction, and for MISA to provide support to related professional services in Hong Kong to access the Saudi Arabian market.
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Hong Kong signs MOU with Saudi Arabia on Belt and Road collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong signs MOU with Saudi Arabia on Belt and Road collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong signs MOU with Saudi Arabia on Belt and Road collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong signs MOU with Saudi Arabia on Belt and Road collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, Mr Khalid Al-Falih, the MOU was signed by the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, and the Assistant Deputy for Services Sectors of the MISA, Mr Fahad M Alhashem.
"I led a high-level Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation to Saudi Arabia in 2023, strengthening the foundation for the long-term development of Hong Kong businesses in the Middle East region. This MOU marks another significant milestone in the collaboration between the two sides under the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI), especially as it is the first of its kind signed between Hong Kong and an overseas economy in this area of co-operation. As a leading international hub for finance, shipping and trade that is fast-rising as an international innovation and technology centre, Hong Kong is well positioned to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Our professional services, ranging from finance, technology and architecture to engineering and legal services, could contribute significantly to the development of signature projects in Saudi Arabia and beyond. I am confident that this MOU will further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two economies," Mr Lee said.
Under the MOU, the MISA would provide information on infrastructure and construction projects to Hong Kong and seek to overcome obstacles that Hong Kong companies may face in accessing the Saudi Arabian market, while BRO would share information on Hong Kong's professional services with the MISA, with a view to utilising each other's platform for investment promotion, tendering and fundraising.
Apart from signing the MOU, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia are negotiating an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, which aims to protect, enhance and open investment and helps strengthen investor confidence and increase bilateral investment flows for boosting closer economic relations between the two places.
Source: AI-found images
Hong Kong signs MOU with Saudi Arabia on Belt and Road collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong signs MOU with Saudi Arabia on Belt and Road collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong signs MOU with Saudi Arabia on Belt and Road collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong signs MOU with Saudi Arabia on Belt and Road collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
