HKETO Berlin Celebrates Year of the Horse with Receptions in Slovenia and Switzerland

HKETO Berlin welcomes Year of Horse in Slovenia and Switzerland

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), in collaboration with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), hosted two receptions in Ljubljana, Slovenia and Zurich, Switzerland to celebrate the Year of the Horse.

More than 100 guests attended the reception held in Ljubljana on March 3 (Ljubljana time), with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Slovenia, Mr Klemen Boštjani, as the guest of honour.

The Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, highlighted in his remarks the close co-operation between Hong Kong and Slovenia in the past year. Both governments attach importance to reaching a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement. Last year in November, the President of the National Council of Slovenia also brought the largest-ever business delegation with more than 80 persons to visit the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong to explore collaboration opportunities.

"While global tensions and lingering trade barriers have created uncertainty across many economies, Hong Kong and Slovenia governments continue to work closely to strengthen our ties. Through strengthening exchanges, I am confident that we can create synergies on areas such as financial services and innovation and technology." Mr Wong said.

On March 4 (Zurich time), about 200 guests joined the reception in Zurich at which Mr Wong also promoted initiatives set out in the 2026-27 Budget. Mr Wong highlighted that the vibrant capital market in Hong Kong could provide family offices and cross-border wealth management entities with abundant investment opportunities in Asia. Swiss investors can also leverage Hong Kong as a base to explore opportunities on the Chinese Mainland as well as other Asian countries.

About HKETO Berlin

HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

HKETO Berlin welcomes Year of Horse in Slovenia and Switzerland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Berlin welcomes Year of Horse in Slovenia and Switzerland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Berlin welcomes Year of Horse in Slovenia and Switzerland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Berlin welcomes Year of Horse in Slovenia and Switzerland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Berlin welcomes Year of Horse in Slovenia and Switzerland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Man and woman convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes

A man and a woman were sentenced to four months' imprisonment and two months' imprisonment respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 6) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 64-year-old man for inspection at the Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok on February 8. Upon inspection, a total of 3 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from plastic bags placed on the bike's baskets and the shoulder bag carried by the man, with an estimated market value of about $15,000 and a duty potential of about $9,900. He was subsequently arrested. The man was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the Courts today.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 43-year-old woman at the same Checkpoint yesterday (March 5). Upon inspection, a total of 4 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from shopping bags placed on the bike's baskets and the handbag carried by the woman, with an estimated market value of about $20,000 and a duty potential of about $13,200. She was subsequently arrested. The woman was sentenced to two months' imprisonment by the Courts today.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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/).

Man and woman convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases