Hong Kong and Brunei Strengthen Trade Relations at Business Seminar in Kuala Lumpur

HKETO Kuala Lumpur hosts business seminar and Chinese New Year luncheon in Brunei

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (HKETO Kuala Lumpur) hosted a business seminar in Brunei Darussalam (Brunei) today (February 2) to promote trade and deepen bilateral economic ties between Hong Kong and Brunei.A luncheon was also held today to celebrate the Year of the Horse. Over 120 participants from the local government, business and academic sectors attended the events.

Themed "Unleashing Trade Potential and Building Sustainable Economic Ties between Hong Kong and Brunei", the seminar was co-organised with the Brunei Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB). As an event under the Economic and Trade Express (ETE) initiative, the speakers illustrated to the audience Hong Kong's unique roles in the region, and how the ETE initiative would assist Hong Kong enterprises in expanding their regional reach, thus contributing to the diversification of the economy in Brunei. Other topics covered included how the Bruneian business sector could better utilise the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement, and how Hong Kong enterprises could collaborate with Brunei in the areas of fintech, the digital economy and agri-food technology, thus helping Hong Kong businesses explore opportunities in Brunei.

In his welcome speech, the head of HKETO Kuala Lumpur, Mr Owin Fung, highlighted that bilateral trade in goods between Hong Kong and Brunei reached US$21 million in the first nine months of 2025, representing a robust 34 per cent year-on-year growth.

Mr Fung added that Hong Kong is a "super connector" to the world, readily partnering with Bruneian businesses to "go global". Recently launched initiatives such as the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global and the ETE platform further strengthen Hong Kong as the premier springboard for Chinese Mainland enterprises expanding internationally, and empower Hong Kong small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups to unlock business opportunities in worldwide markets including Brunei.

The seminar featured seven prominent speakers from the Hong Kong and Brunei business communities including the Head of AI and Data Science of Cyberport,Mr Victor Yim, and the Chief Innovation Officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr Du Yong-hai. About 20 participants from Hong Kong and Brunei also attended online.

Following the seminar, a luncheon was jointly organised by the HKETO Kuala Lumpur, Invest Hong Kong and the HKTDC in celebration of the Year of the Horse. Dignitaries at the luncheon included the Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry) of the MOFE, Dr Hajah May Fa'ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin; the Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Chen Shaochun; the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BEDB, Mr Daniel Leong; the Regional Director of South East Asia and South Asia of the HKTDC, Mr Leung Kwan-ho, and senior representatives from major local business chambers.

HKETO Kuala Lumpur hosts business seminar and Chinese New Year luncheon in Brunei Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Kuala Lumpur hosts business seminar and Chinese New Year luncheon in Brunei Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Kuala Lumpur hosts business seminar and Chinese New Year luncheon in Brunei Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Kuala Lumpur hosts business seminar and Chinese New Year luncheon in Brunei Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Kuala Lumpur hosts business seminar and Chinese New Year luncheon in Brunei Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mr Owin Fung, Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases