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.
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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
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
HA announces clearance and rehousing arrangements for redevelopment of Sai Wan Estate and Phase 1 of Ma Tau Wai Estate
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (February 2) the clearance and rehousing arrangements for the redevelopment of Sai Wan Estate (SWE) and Phase 1 of Ma Tau Wai Estate (MTWE).
The HA's Strategic Planning Committeediscussed the above two plans this morning. The Commercial Properties Committee and the Subsidised Housing Committee, at a joint meeting, subsequently approved the rehousing and associated arrangements for the domestic and commercial tenants affected by the SWE and MTWE (Phase 1) redevelopment plans.
Clearance and rehousing arrangements for redevelopment of SWE
The clearance and rehousing of SWE will be carried out in one go. Affected tenants will have a notification period of more than 40 months before the target clearance date in September 2029 for making arrangements to move out of their units. Phase 1 of the Ka Wai Man Road public housing development nearby will serve as the reception estate, providing sufficient public rental housing (PRH) units for SWE tenants to move together with their neighbours, maintaining warm neighbourhood relationships and continuing the sense of community.
Clearance and rehousing arrangements for Phase 1 redevelopment of MTWE
MTWE will be redeveloped in two phases, with Phase 1 clearance covering Geranium House and Narcissus House. Affected tenants will have a notification period of more than 40 months before the target clearance date in July 2029 for making arrangements to move out of their units. The To Kwa Wan Road public housing development and part of the new Mei Tung Estate public housing development will serve as the reception estates for tenants affected by the Phase 1 clearance, reducing the number of redevelopment phases from three to two, hence significantly shortening the rehousing period for all MTWE residents from 14 years to seven years.
Public participation to improve the community
Based on the views of stakeholders collected during the community engagement activities and District Council consultation, the HA will carry out the associated arrangements of the redevelopment.
(1) Diverse rehousing options
Affected households can select from different rehousing options to suit their needs. Tenants affected by the SWE and MTWE (Phase 1) redevelopment plans may choose to move either to reception estates or to suitable and refurbished PRH units in other districts, and will be accorded priority to purchase subsidised sale flats launched for sale before the target clearance date.
(2) Details of allowance
Affected households will be offered a Domestic Removal Allowance ranging from $10,350 to $33,050, depending on the household size, to help cover part of their moving expenses. Eligible one-person and two-person households may also opt for cash in lieu of rehousing to a PRH unit under the Alternative Rehousing Allowance, with the rates for one-person households and two-person households endorsed at the joint meeting today standing at $82,700 and $100,220 respectively.
(3) Community service teams
The HA will set up on-site community service teams at SWE and MTWE to maintain communication between the HA and affected households, in particular elderly people, and to provide them services, including support in moving out of their current units and adapting to their new living environment.
(4) Internal transfer arrangements
The HA will take care of the households in need during the MTWE (Phase 1) redevelopment (for families of two or more, especially elderly households) through internal transfer. Tenants who have special circumstances may apply for transfer to a unit in Phase 2 of MTWE. The applications will be considered with discretion. No internal transfer arrangements are necessary for SWE as the reception estate can accommodate all of the affected tenants in one go.
(5) Preserving featured shops in the estate
The tailor-made tender arrangements previously adopted for the commercial tenants in Wah Fu Estate and Choi Hung Estate will also apply to the retail shops in Phase 1 of the MTWE redevelopment. To preserve featured shops with cultural affinities in the estate, the HA will identify shops with unique characteristics and values of retention through community engagement exercises, and engage the shop tenants in bidding for new commercial premises reserved in the reception estates or the redeveloped estates by way of restricted tenders. The HA will gauge the views of the community as well as the intention of affected shop tenants before finalising the detailed arrangements. Moreover, all eligible commercial tenants affected by the MTWE (Phase 1) redevelopment will be offered ex-gratia allowances equivalent to 15 times the monthly exclusive rent as specified in the tenancy agreement applicable on the day of the formal announcement of the clearance, and will be allowed to participate in the restricted tender exercises to lease selected vacant shops in the HA's existing retail facilities. If the retail tenants choose not to participate or are unsuccessful in the restricted tender exercises, they will be granted a lump sum payment of $113,500 in lieu.
The HA will continue to communicate with the residents and announce the latest news and development in due course based on the progress of the SWE and MTWE (Phase 1) redevelopment plans.
Source: AI-found images
