"E-commerce Innovation Expo 2026 - Expanding Brand Horizons" Expo 2026 to Boost Industrial Development in Hong Kong

"E-commerce Innovation Expo 2026 - Expanding Brand Horizons" being held today and tomorrow

With support from the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Productivity Council's (HKPC) SME ReachOut and the Trade and Industry Department are holding the "E-commerce Innovation Expo 2026 - Expanding Brand Horizons" (Expo) for two consecutive days starting today (June 25) to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing cross-border e-commerce business, keeping abreast of the latest market trends and broadening their e-commerce sales network.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said that the Government has long attached great importance to the development potential of e-commerce and is proactively driving local enterprises to seize the opportunities brought about by the digital economy by utilising e-commerce business to explore diversified markets, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness in external trade and injecting impetus into economic development. To support such development, the Government announced a series of targeted initiatives in last year's Policy Address, including the implementation of the Creativity • E-commerce - Beyond Limits programme, with the Expo being one of the key events.

He added that amid the ever-changing global trade landscape, the Government has been fully supporting SMEs in exploring emerging markets and announced a series of measures, including injecting a total of $1.63 billion into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund), raising the funding ceiling of "Easy BUD" under the BUD Fund by 50 per cent to $150,000 per application, providing more targeted funding support for enterprises in AI applications, and expanding the coverage to eight more economies, including emerging markets such as Kazakhstan, to assist enterprises in expediting overseas business expansion. The Government has also set up the Economic and Trade Express to proactively organise overseas business missions for local enterprises.

Mr Yau encouraged SMEs to leverage Hong Kong's advantages as an international trade and business hub to explore overseas markets through e-commerce, with a view to enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong brands and products on the global stage.

The Expo consists of five thematic zones, namely Cross-border E-commerce Experience, New Retail Tech Application, Brand x IP Value-added, Smart Operations, and E-commerce Go-Global Support. The Expo also features over 10 thematic seminars, where experts will share practical e-commerce strategies and applicable technology solutions, enabling SMEs to address various challenges of going global via cross-border e-commerce in one go.

Operated by the HKPC under the support of the Government, SME ReachOut has been in service since 2020, offering capacity-building services to SMEs and assisting them in identifying suitable government funding schemes. As at the end of May 2026, SME ReachOut has handled around 40 000 enquiries from SMEs, organised or participated in 16 exhibitions and 75 seminars/workshops, and conducted over 350 outreach activities through visiting various chambers of commerce, commercial and industrial buildings, and co-working spaces.

Details of the Expo are available at ecommexpo2026.com. For details of SME ReachOut, please visit smereachout.hkpc.org/en.

For enquiries, please contact SME ReachOut (Tel: 2788 6868).

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (front row, second left), visits a booth in the Smart Operations thematic zone at the "E-commerce Innovation Expo 2026 - Expanding Brand Horizons" today (June 25). Looking on is the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Aaron Liu (front row, first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

With support from the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the Trade and Industry Department are holding the "E-commerce Innovation Expo 2026 - Expanding Brand Horizons" (Expo) for two consecutive days starting today (June 25). Photo shows the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (first row, seventh left); the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Aaron Liu (first row, sixth left); the Deputy Chairman of the HKPC, Mr Emil Yu (first row, seventh right); the Executive Director of the HKPC, Mr Mohamed Butt (first row, sixth right), and other guests at the Expo. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (second right); the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Aaron Liu (first right); the Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), Mr Emil Yu (second left); and the Executive Director of the HKPC, Mr Mohamed Butt (first left), officiate at the opening ceremony of "E-commerce Innovation Expo 2026 - Expanding Brand Horizons" today (June 25). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, speaks at the opening ceremony of "E-commerce Innovation Expo 2026 - Expanding Brand Horizons" today (June 25). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Thirty endangered reptiles seized in joint operation by AFCD and Police

Following the case of a crocodile found yesterday (June 24) on the podium of a unit at Tai Po Road, Sham Shui Po, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) continued an in-depth investigation and identified a unit in the building adjacent to the podium as being involved in the case. At around 00.30am today (June 25), the HKPF, together with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), conducted a joint raid at the unit. Including the crocodile seized earlier, a total of 30 endangered reptiles were seized.

During the operation, AFCD officers found 63 reptiles, amphibians and arthropods inside the unit. Among them, 29 were endangered reptiles listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These included three rock iguanas which are listed in Appendix I to the CITES; and 10 turtles, 10 lizards and six snakes listed in Appendix II to the CITES. The species include Aldabra giant tortoises, a savannah monitor, a boa constrictor and a Burmese python, etc.

A 35-year-old local woman claimed to enforcement officers that she is the owner of the animals, and claimed that they were possessed for education purposes. As the woman was unable to produce any Licence to Possess or relevant proof, the AFCD has therefore arrested her on suspicion of illegal possession of endangered species listed in Appendices I and II to the CITES. A total of 30 endangered reptiles, including the crocodile found yesterday, were seized for further investigation. The crocodile has been preliminarily identified as an estuarine crocodile, which is a species listed in Appendix I to the CITES.

According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), unless exempted or otherwise stipulated, possession of Appendix I or Appendix II species requires a Licence to Possess or relevant documentary proof of the animals' origin.

A spokesman for the AFCD said, "Illegal possession of endangered species is a serious offence. Any person contravening the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years and the seized specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction."

To safeguard public safety, the AFCD strongly urges members of the public not to keep dangerous or aggressive animals in their homes. In addition, different animals have different specific needs, and wild animals have particular environmental requirements. From an animal welfare perspective, wild animals are not suitable for keeping in households.

The Government is committed to protecting endangered species. The AFCD will remain vigilant and continue to monitor and collect intelligence through various channels, and proactively take enforcement action to combat offences involving endangered species. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illegal possession of endangered species to the AFCD by calling 2150 6978 or emailing to espint@afcd.gov.hk.

Thirty endangered reptiles seized in joint operation by AFCD and Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Thirty endangered reptiles seized in joint operation by AFCD and Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Thirty endangered reptiles seized in joint operation by AFCD and Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Thirty endangered reptiles seized in joint operation by AFCD and Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Thirty endangered reptiles seized in joint operation by AFCD and Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Thirty endangered reptiles seized in joint operation by AFCD and Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases