HKETO Kuala Lumpur Supports Joint Forum on Industrial Collaboration Between Hong Kong and Malaysia

HKETO Kuala Lumpur supports joint forum on industrial collaboration between Hong Kong and Malaysia

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (HKETO Kuala Lumpur) participated in the Malaysia-Hong Kong Industrial Partnership Forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (April 20). The Forum aims to explore opportunities for strengthening industrial collaboration between Hong Kong and Malaysia.

It featured a panel session titled "Building Competitive Manufacturing through Productivity, Technology and Industry Linkages", and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two co-organisers of the Forum, namely the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing. The MOU marks an important milestone in fostering industrial collaborations between Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Addressing the Forum, the Director of the HKETO Kuala Lumpur, Mr Owin Fung, highlighted the complementary nature of the two economies, and shared Hong Kong's advantages and new developments including the Northern Metropolis, the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global, the Economic and Trade Express and the AI+ Initiative that would help drive bilateral investments and collaborations on innovation and technology, stimulating industrial partnerships between the two places.

He also highlighted new industrialisation and smart manufacturing as emerging areas of common interest between Hong Kong and Malaysia, and encouraged collaborations between industries of the two economies. "By fostering industry collaborations, we are cocreating value through technology adoption and innovative business models," Mr Fung said.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Mr Sim Tze Tzin, noted the close economic relations between Hong Kong and Malaysia, and the potential of industrial partnerships between the two economies in addressing challenges brought by supply chain disruption.

The Forum brought together about 100 industry leaders, policymakers, technology experts, and academia from both Hong Kong and Malaysia. Focusing on enhancing productivity, accelerating technology adoption, and fostering innovation-driven growth within the manufacturing sector, it provided a robust platform for participants to discuss opportunities for industrial collaboration and practical approaches to enhance competitiveness.

After the Forum, the HKPC delegation and representatives from Hong Kong media proceeded to Penang for visits to several Hong Kong-owned manufacturing facilities that serve to showcase success stories of Hong Kong enterprises in Malaysia.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (HKETO Kuala Lumpur) participated in the Malaysia-Hong Kong Industrial Partnership Forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (April 20). Photo shows the Director of the HKETO Kuala Lumpur, Mr Owin Fung (first right); the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Mr Sim Tze Tzin (third right); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr Sunny Tan (second right); the President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing, Mr Jacob Lee (third left), and other guests at the Forum. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Productivity Council and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing jointly organised the Malaysia-Hong Kong Industrial Partnership Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (April 20), which brought together about 100 industry leaders, policymakers, technology experts, and academia from both Hong Kong and Malaysia. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur, Mr Owin Fung, delivers a keynote address at the Malaysia-Hong Kong Industrial Partnership Forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (April 20). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Beef and beef congee samples found to contain sulphur dioxide

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 6) that two beef samples collected from a licensed food factory in North District were found to contain sulphur dioxide, contravening the provisions on preservative of the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD) (the Regulation). The CFS is following up on the incident. The food factory concerned has suspended its business.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Subsequent to the earlier announcement that a beef congee sample taken from a licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen, was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a follow-up investigation by the CFS revealed that the beef concerned was suspected to be supplied by the licensed food factory mentioned above. The CFS has immediately taken follow-up action and collected beef samples from the relevant food factory for testing. The test results showed that the two beef samples contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 7 700 parts per million (ppm) and 8 300 ppm respectively."

"As instructed by the CFS, the concerned licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen has earlier stopped the sale of the relevant beef congee. The CFS had collected another beef congee sample for follow-up investigation before the restaurant concerned stopped selling the relevant product, and the test result showed that the beef congee sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 540 ppm," the spokesman added.

The CFS has informed the food factory concerned of the irregularities and instructed it to stop the sale of the products concerned and discard relevant raw materials. During an inspection to the food factory concerned, stains were detected in several areas of the premises, and a gap at the door was found. Prosecution was then initiated to the relevant person; and a Notice of Elimination of Vermin was issued under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) Section 47(1), requiring the person-in-charge of the premises to adopt necessary procedures to remove any items causing rodent infestation within specified time frame, failing which prosecution will be instituted.

According to the Regulation, contravening relevant provisions on preservatives is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water-soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action. Prosecution will be instituted for the violation of the Regulation. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images