Hong Kong’s Commerce Secretary Hosts Reception to Highlight Economic Opportunities and ETO Efforts Amid Global Challenges

SCED hosts cocktail reception to give update on overseas ETOs' and Mainland Offices' ongoing efforts in promoting strengths and opportunities of Hong Kong

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, today (November 11) hosted a cocktail reception for about 200 guests, including members of the Executive Council, officials from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, representatives from consuls in Hong Kong, chambers of commerce, major trade associations and the arts and cultural industries, as well as relevant government board and committee members, to update them on the ongoing efforts of the overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) and the Mainland Offices in promoting Hong Kong's diverse strengths and opportunities.

The reception was held during the return of the Heads of the 14 ETOs and five Mainland Offices (HETOs) to Hong Kong for the annual meeting of HETOs.

Speaking at the reception, Mr Yau said that despite the persistent uncertainties in the global economy and trade arising from intensifying geopolitical tensions, Hong Kong continued to demonstrate resilience. The ETOs, being the frontline representatives of the HKSAR Government responsible for promoting trade and investment ties between Hong Kong and its major trading partners, as well as the official representative to safeguard Hong Kong's economic and trade interests abroad, play a more critical role than ever.

Mr Yau said that to further leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, this year's Policy Address has put forward an array of initiatives to proactively explore new economic growth areas to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness and international influence. He briefed the guests on the measures that are particularly relevant to the work of the ETOs and the Mainland Offices, including the establishment of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to provide one-stop customised support services to Mainland enterprises venturing overseas through Hong Kong; proactively supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups in exploring high-potential markets and the organisation of overseas business missions through the new functional platform "Economic and Trade Express"; as well as formulating packages of preferential policies covering land grants, land premiums, financial subsidies and tax incentives to attract high value-added industries and high-potential enterprises to set up businesses in Hong Kong, particularly in the Northern Metropolis.

Mr Yau added that to further expand Hong Kong's circle of friends in trade, the Government has been actively seeking to co-operate with trading partners to deepen Hong Kong's international economic and trade networks through forging free trade agreements (FTAs), investment agreements and memoranda of understanding. In particular, the Government has been proactively seeking Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world's largest FTA. In addition, the Chief Executive visited 12 Belt and Road countries in the past three years. Principal officials of the HKSAR Government also conducted various visits with the essential support provided by the ETOs and the Mainland Offices to strengthen the economic and trade network of Hong Kong.

Mr Yau emphasised that the Government will continue to expand the network of ETOs to cover emerging markets with high economic potential. He shared with the guests that the Hong Kong ETO in Kuala Lumpur will commence operation this year, and the coverage of the ETOs in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region will be expanded to further deepen Hong Kong's work on economic and trade promotion in ASEAN and neighbouring countries.

Looking forward, Mr Yau noted that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2026 will be held in Shenzhen, which will help promote the vast opportunities in the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong will continue to fully participate in the GBA development and actively consolidate the city's position as an international trade centre and a regional intellectual property trading centre.

In concluding, Mr Yau called on all sectors to continue supporting the work of the ETOs and the Mainland Offices. He also took the opportunity to appeal to all members of the organisations and associations to cast their votes on the polling day of the Legislative Council General Election on December 7, exercising their civic rights to elect a new term of responsible, visionary and capable members of the Legislative Council.

SCED hosts cocktail reception to give update on overseas ETOs' and Mainland Offices' ongoing efforts in promoting strengths and opportunities of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCED hosts cocktail reception to give update on overseas ETOs' and Mainland Offices' ongoing efforts in promoting strengths and opportunities of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCED hosts cocktail reception to give update on overseas ETOs' and Mainland Offices' ongoing efforts in promoting strengths and opportunities of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.

Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.

The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:

(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.

(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.

"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.

To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.

Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.

Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.

Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.

Source: AI-found images