Hong Kong F&B Seminar Explores Opportunities in Mainland Market for Meat and Dairy Products

InvestHK and EEB cohost seminar: cross-departmental collaboration to explore how businesses can leverage Hong Kong to expand into Chinese Mainland F&B market

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) today (March 18) jointly organised a seminar titled "New Opportunities for Hong Kong Food and Beverage (F&B) Industry in Expanding into Chinese Mainland Market", attracting the participation of around 80 industry representatives. The seminar aimed to help the industry keep abreast of the latest information and capture emerging business opportunities following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Inspection, Quarantine and Hygiene Requirements for Meat Products Exported from Hong Kong to the Mainland and the Cooperation Arrangement for the Export of Dairy Products from Hong Kong to the Mainland (collectively referred to as co-operation agreements) in May last year between the EEB and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China to facilitate food trade between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

The seminar showcased the synergy of cross-departmental collaboration, focusing on how the co-operation agreements facilitate the entry of Hong Kong-manufactured meat and dairy products into the Mainland. Discussions also explored how food brands can leverage the intellectual property advantages of "Made in Hong Kong" products to expand more efficiently into the Mainland food market and enhance competitiveness.

Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, "Demand for high-quality food products in the Mainland market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for 'Made in Hong Kong' food products, which are well known for their high-quality standards. With further streamlined cross-boundary trade procedures, InvestHK will fully support companies establishing F&B operations in Hong Kong to forge connections with Mainland distribution channels and partners, helping them seize the opportunities arising from the Mainland food trade."

A spokesperson of the EEB said, "'Food from Hong Kong' is a reputable brand for Mainland customers. Coupled with the potential of the Mainland market, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has facilitated the food industry in opening up the Mainland market by strengthening co-operation with Mainland authorities. We encourage food enterprises to make good use of the policy and seize the market opportunities by exporting food products that satisfy the prescribed requirements to the Mainland."

During the seminar, representatives from the EEB provided a detailed briefing on the requirements and procedures for Hong Kong food products entering the Mainland market, including testing and certification and facilitation measures for customs clearance, and shared updates on the practical implementation of the co-operation agreements signed last year, offering food enterprises new opportunities for growth. Representatives from InvestHK introduced the wide range of supportive services available to overseas and Mainland companies and highlighted how the Northern Metropolis offers attractive land resources for food businesses to scale up production, strengthen competitiveness through the "Made in Hong Kong" advantage, and capitalise on the growing Mainland market demand.

InvestHK will continue to strengthen cross-departmental collaboration, maintain close engagement with the industry, and provide timely information and support to help Hong Kong-manufactured food and beverage businesses seize development opportunities, while promoting economic and trade exchanges and two-way investment between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

To download photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720332586638.

InvestHK and EEB cohost seminar: cross-departmental collaboration to explore how businesses can leverage Hong Kong to expand into Chinese Mainland F&B market Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK and EEB cohost seminar: cross-departmental collaboration to explore how businesses can leverage Hong Kong to expand into Chinese Mainland F&B market Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK and EEB cohost seminar: cross-departmental collaboration to explore how businesses can leverage Hong Kong to expand into Chinese Mainland F&B market Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK and EEB cohost seminar: cross-departmental collaboration to explore how businesses can leverage Hong Kong to expand into Chinese Mainland F&B market Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to 12 weeks' imprisonment and fined $3,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 18) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 67-year-old female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (March 17) and seized 141 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $580 and a duty potential of about $470 from her personal baggage. She was subsequently arrested.

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

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys 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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases