"SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2025" to be held today and tomorrow
With support from the Trade and Industry Department (TID), the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is holding "SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2025" (the Fair) for two consecutive days starting today (October 16). The Fair seeks to provide information on government funding schemes and assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in undertaking digital transformation, with a view to enhancing their competitiveness in the digital economy era.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said that the Government has been supporting SMEs in transformation and upgrading, expanding into overseas markets, and assisting SMEs in enhancing operational efficiency and market competitiveness by leveraging new technologies. This year's Policy Address has announced a number of initiatives in support of SMEs, such as injecting $1.43 billion into the BUD Fund (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales) and expanding its geographical scope to cover eight more economies, including Belt and Road countries, and setting up the "Economic and Trade Express" to encourage local SMEs and start-ups to conduct more overseas visits to explore business opportunities.
He added that the Government will, through the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), support the continued organisation of the Hong Kong Shopping Festival, covering Mainland and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) e-commerce markets over the next three years to promote Hong Kong brands, and strengthen training and information services through the four SME centres, the Mentorship Programme of the TID and the E-Commerce Express under the HKTDC, as well as implementing the "Creativity • E-commerce – Beyond Limits" programme and providing one-stop business matching and referral services. He encouraged SMEs to leverage the various support measures to expedite their upgrading and transformation, and explore diversified markets to cope with current challenges and seize opportunities.
The Fair is the third large-scale annual event under the enhanced services of "SME ReachOut", containing thematic zones such as digital transformation, Go Global, cross-border e-commerce and retail technologies, and government funding schemes. The Fair also features over 10 thematic seminars, where experts will share information related to the themes, enabling SMEs to understand the latest market trends and seek opportunities for co-operation and suitable solutions.
Operated by the HKPC under the support of the Government, "SME ReachOut" has been in service since 2020 to assist SMEs in identifying suitable government funding schemes, and provide capacity-building services.
Details of "SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2025" are available at smereachout.hkpc.org/fund&techsourcingfair2025/en. For details of "SME ReachOut", please visit smereachout.hkpc.org/en.
For enquiries, please contact "SME ReachOut" (Tel: 2788 6868).
"SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2025" to be held today and tomorrow Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2025" to be held today and tomorrow Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2025" to be held today and tomorrow Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
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
