HKETO Berlin Promotes Hong Kong's Unique Strengths in Fintech at FIBE Festival in Berlin

HKETO Berlin promotes Hong Kong's unique strengths in fintech at FIBE Festival in Berlin

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), together with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), promoted Hong Kong's vibrant fintech developments at the FIBE Festival, Germany's leading fintech festival, in Berlin, Germany, on April 15 and 16 (Berlin time).

The FIBE Festival is part of the joint business and investment promotion events under the Economic and Trade Express to highlight Hong Kong's dynamic developments and opportunities.

The Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, together with representatives of InvestHK and the HKTDC, joined as speakers on April 16 at a thematic session, "How to scale your business from Europe to Hong Kong with all the support you need to succeed". They highlighted Hong Kong as an ideal gateway for European fintech businesses to expand to Asia, underpinned by the free flow of capital, a robust regulatory framework, and also Hong Kong's unique advantage of being connected with the world and the Chinese Mainland market.

"As a premier international financial centre with a robust regulatory environment and abundant business opportunities, Hong Kong is also a pioneer in the world of fintech. We stand out as a market with consistent, predictable, forward-looking policies, and a balanced and trusted regulatory framework. With a diverse and innovative ecosystem, we attract entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals from around the world, hosting over 1 200 fintech companies," Mr Wong said.

At the FIBE Festival, the HKETO Berlin, InvestHK and the HKTDC also hosted a booth to promote Hong Kong as an ideal business and work location.

About HKETO Berlin

The 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.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) promoted Hong Kong's vibrant fintech developments at the FIBE Festival in Berlin, Germany, on April 15 and 16 (Berlin time). Photo shows the HKETO Berlin, InvestHK and the HKTDC hosting a booth at the FIBE Festival. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) promoted Hong Kong's vibrant fintech developments at the FIBE Festival in Berlin, Germany, on April 15 and 16 (Berlin time). Photo shows InvestHK and the HKTDC promoting Hong Kong as an ideal gateway for European fintech businesses to expand to Asia and market their businesses. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council promoted Hong Kong's vibrant fintech developments at the FIBE Festival in Berlin, Germany, on April 15 and 16 (Berlin time). Photo shows the Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, delivering his remarks at a panel discussion. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $2 million at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (April 20) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 10 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2 million.

A female passenger, aged 56, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand via Hanoi, Vietnam this afternoon. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 10 kilograms, in her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.

After investigation, the arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 21).

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.

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 seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $2 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $2 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases