Business seminar in Munich highlights Hong Kong's strategic roles amidst global shifts
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), promoted Hong Kong's unique advantages and strategic roles at the seminar "Hong Kong's strategic role amidst geopolitical tensions" on June 18 (Munich time) in Munich, Germany.
Senior executives, investors, and experts from the business community came together at the seminar for in-depth discussions on Hong Kong's unique positions as a global financial, trade, and innovation hubs amidst evolving international dynamics. The Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, highlighted that current geopolitical tensions and escalations are prompting investors and entrepreneurs to reassess their global strategies. Hong Kong has proven itself to be a safe, stable and secure business and investment hub with abundant opportunities for German businesses.
"With close connectivity with both the Chinese Mainland and the world under 'One Country, Two Systems', Hong Kong serves as a 'super connector' and a 'super value-adder', offering a favorable business environment and an unparalleled access point to the vast Asian markets." Wong said.
Wong also highlighted that Hong Kong continues to excel in various international rankings, including those for economy, finance, and talents. The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026 published by the International Institute for Management Development yesterday (June 18) saw Hong Kong's ranking rising for the third consecutive year to second globally this year.
Representative of InvestHK also joined the discussion with German business community, sharing how Hong Kong serves as a premier gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, leveraging Hong Kong's robust common law system, free flow of capital and information. The event is part of the joint business and investment promotion events under the Economic and Trade Express.
During his stay in Munich, Wong also called on the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Consulate-General in Munich, Mr Guo Fang, to exchange views on bilateral relations between Hong Kong and Germany.
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.
Business seminar in Munich highlights Hong Kong's strategic roles amidst global shifts Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Business seminar in Munich highlights Hong Kong's strategic roles amidst global shifts Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Business seminar in Munich highlights Hong Kong's strategic roles amidst global shifts Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs on June 17 and yesterday (June 18) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport, and seized a total of about 42 kilograms of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $16 million. Two men were arrested.
In the first case, a 50-year-old Japanese male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on June 17. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 16kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase and 137 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 50-year-old British male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from London, the United Kingdom, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 26kg of suspected ketamine inside his two check-in suitcases. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession of dutiable goods and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service. The arrested man in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Both cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 20).
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 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.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (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 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 detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
