Hui Advocates for Double Taxation Agreement with Slovenia to Boost Economic Ties and Business Opportunities

SFST discusses with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister early commencement of CDTA negotiations

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, started his visit to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, on September 22 (Ljubljana time) and welcomed Slovenia’s recognition of the benefits that a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) with Hong Kong would bring to both economies.

On the invitation of the Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr Klemen Boštjančič, Mr Hui will join a high-level roundtable conference hosted by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of Slovenia for financial ministers and financial experts. At a welcome dinner hosted by Mr Boštjančič for panellists held on September 22, Mr Hui was greeted with the good news that the Slovenian Government and National Assembly are deliberating on the decision to prioritise the CDTA with Hong Kong.

"It is reassuring to receive the encouraging response from the Slovenian Government soon after my initial proposal to Mr Boštjančič this June that both sides are attaching importance in reaching a CDTA so that our business communities would be able to reap the tremendous benefits as soon as possible. With a CDTA in place, the business communities and residents of the two places will better understand the potential tax liabilities from cross-border investments, and enjoy avoidance of double taxation. This will be conducive to creating a more favourable and attractive business environment for investors to establish or expand their businesses. With the commitment of both sides, the first round of CDTA negotiations should be possible in the near future," he said.

Earlier in the day, Mr Hui met with the Chairman of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) of Saudi Arabia, Mr Mohammed bin Abdullah Elkuwaiz, to update him on the situation of Hong Kong's financial market and the various initiatives announced in "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address" to consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre. The CMA is the regulator of the Saudi Arabian capital market, including the Saudi Stock Exchange, which is the only authorised entity allowed to carry out the trading of securities in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Elkuwaiz has a great interest in Hong Kong's financial market and its various advantages. Mr Hui suggested enhanced co-operation between the two parties to help build the Saudi capital market into one of the most important financial markets in the world. He noted that the co-operation between the two financial markets is not new and Saudi Arabia can take the city as a reliable partner for investment and financial development. Collaboration between the two financial markets include the first Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) investing in the Saudi market listed in Hong Kong since 2023, two ETFs tracking Hong Kong stock indices on the Saudi Exchange since last year and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding last year between the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to work jointly towards anchoring an investment fund of a target size of US$1 billion as well as the first Islamic bond (sukuk) ETF listed in Hong Kong this May.

Mr Hui also paid a courtesy call on the Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Slovenia, Mr Zhao Binghui. They discussed the latest trend and opportunities of Mainland enterprises going global, and how Hong Kong can play its unique role to better serve the relevant needs.

On September 23 (Ljubljana time), Mr Hui will attend a high-level roundtable conference hosted by the MoF of the Republic of Solvenia as well as a business event organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. He will also meet ministers of finance from other countries on the sidelines of the Slovenian MoF roundtable conference.

SFST discusses with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister early commencement of CDTA negotiations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST discusses with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister early commencement of CDTA negotiations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST discusses with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister early commencement of CDTA negotiations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST discusses with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister early commencement of CDTA negotiations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SFST discusses with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister early commencement of CDTA negotiations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP announces one new melioidosis case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 16) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (January 9 to 15). The CHP appealed to members of the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent melioidosis. The CHP also specifically reminded high-risk groups, including the elderly and people with underlying diseases, to avoid contact with soil or muddy water after typhoons or storms with a view to lowering infection risk.

The case involves a 58-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Kwai Tsing District. He presented with a fever and vomiting since January 10, followed by confusion on the next day (January 11). He was then sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital and is currently in the intensive care unit in critical condition. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His clinical sample was confirmed to be positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.

The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Initial epidemiological investigations revealed that the case is sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.

As of yesterday (January 15), one melioidosis case has been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2025, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded.

Person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but the bacteria causing melioidosis can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong, and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year.

According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or rainstorms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or rainstorms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

With this in mind, where practicable, members of the public should stay indoors during typhoons and rainstorms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.

Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:

Avoid contact with contaminated soil;

Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;

Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;

Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover them with waterproof dressings;

Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;

Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and

Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.

The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions, in order to receive an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP atwww.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

Source: AI-found images