Hong Kong Celebrates Year of the Horse with Trade Events in Sweden and Norway

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO), in collaboration with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), hosted two celebratory and promotional events under the new functional platform Economic and Trade Express (ETE) to celebrate the Year of the Horse in Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway, on January 21 and 22 respectively. The events were well-attended by representatives from local government, as well as the business, academic and cultural sectors.

Following the announcement in the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address, the ETE has been established to enhance synergy among Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in the overseas, InvestHK and HKTDC, strengthening their collective efforts in trade and investment promotion.

On January 21, London ETO, InvestHK, HKTDC and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden co-hosted an evening reception in Stockholm, Sweden, welcoming over 200 guests. Prior to the reception, a business seminar was held, featuring six speakers from the Swedish business community who shared their insights on investment opportunities in Hong Kong and the global expansion of Nordic life science companies.

In her welcome speech, the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau, said, "With Sweden's strengths in sustainable innovation, digital health, and clean technologies, and Hong Kong's unique role as a super connector to the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asian market, there is significant potential for deeper collaboration between Hong Kong and Sweden from research and clinical trials to intellectual property trading and regional expansion."

On January 22, London ETO, InvestHK, HKTDC and the Norway-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce co-hosted an evening reception in Oslo, Norway, greeting over 80 guests. Addressing the audience, Miss Chau remarked, "Norway's internationally recognised expertise in offshore wind, hydrogen, and other clean energy technologies, combined with Hong Kong's deep capital markets and its role as a financial gateway between Europe and Asia, creates strong potential for collaboration. There are significant opportunities for Hong Kong to work with Norwegian partners to bring clean energy projects to scale and to international markets."

The London ETO will continue to mark the Year of the Horse through a range of activities across the countries under its purview to further promote trade and investment ties with Hong Kong.

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO greets Year of Horse in Sweden and Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects case of suspected illicit motor spirit

Hong Kong Customs on March 9 detected an illicit motor spirit case involving a fishing vessel in the waters off So Kwun Wat, Tuen Mun, and seized 1 260 litres of suspcted illicit motor spirit. A man aged 75 was arrested.

In the afternoon on March 9, Customs identified and intercepted a suspicious fishing vessel being towed with two sampans during a sea patrol in the northwest area of Hong Kong waters. The batch of illicit motor spirit, with an estimated market value of about $38,000 and a duty potential of about $7,600, was found on the three vessels upon search. The 75-year-old captain of the fishing vessel, suspected of violating the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), was arrested.

Under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit motor spirit commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any illicit fuel 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).

Hong Kong Customs detects case of suspected illicit motor spirit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases