Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Sham Shui Po
Hong Kong Customs today (August 12) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns with members of the District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health and the Housing Department (HD) at Pak Tin Estate and Lei Cheng Uk Estate in Sham Shui Po. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System.
Customs officers patrolled the housing estates and introduced to residents Customs' enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes, and reminded them that the maximum penalty for offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes had been increased to a $2 million fine and seven-years' imprisonment. Customs also explained to estate security personnel how to deal with suspected illicit cigarette activities.
Customs officers also introduced the Duty Stamp System to be implemented in Hong Kong to members of the District Council and residents. The three-month Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System launched by Customs concluded early this year. The department will continue to maintain close communication with all stakeholders and optimise the design and implementation details of the system. Customs expects the Duty Stamp System to achieve the ultimate goal of effective distinguishment of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat "cheap whites".
Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise the public awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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 are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotional leaflet). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public are also urged to report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflet distribution to TACO's hotline 2961 8823.
Hong Kong Customs today (August 12) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns with members of the District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health and the Housing Department at Pak Tin Estate and Lei Cheng Uk Estate in Sham Shui Po. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs today (August 12) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns with members of the District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health and the Housing Department at Pak Tin Estate and Lei Cheng Uk Estate in Sham Shui Po. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System. Photo shows Customs officers introducing Customs' enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes to a member of the District Council. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs today (August 12) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns with members of the District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health and the Housing Department at Pak Tin Estate and Lei Cheng Uk Estate in Sham Shui Po. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses
Led by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, a business delegation comprising representatives from Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong chambers of commerce and other organisations continued its visit to Malaysia today (August 12) to explore business opportunities, leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages as a strategic two-way gateway connecting the Mainland and Malaysia.
The visit is one of the outbound missions organised by the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) under Mr Yau's steer to enable Mainland enterprises looking to go global to visit overseas markets to gain a better understanding of the local market situation.
In the morning, the delegation attended a business seminar cum networking lunch organised by Invest Hong Kong. The event provided a platform for connecting the visiting Mainland delegates with potential Malaysian partners across sectors and for exchanging experiences among Mainland enterprises, local and Hong Kong business leaders and professional service providers on unlocking cross-border opportunities through Hong Kong.
Delivering his opening remarks at the event, Mr Yau said that Hong Kong has always been serving as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" connecting the East and the West, and bringing together both capital and opportunities. With this strategic role, coupled with the many strengths of Hong Kong, the city is prepared to serve as the ideal springboard linking the Mainland and Malaysia.
On this note, Mr Yau shared with participants the work of the GoGlobal Task Force, set up last October to assist Mainland enterprises in expanding into overseas markets, including Malaysia, through Hong Kong, and the vast opportunities for Malaysian businesses and industries to join hands with Mainland counterparts wishing to establish a presence in Malaysia.
"For instance, Malaysian business and professional service providers will benefit from the new demand for services from incoming Chinese Mainland enterprises. Enterprises from both countries can form joint ventures and partnerships to jointly expand businesses in Malaysia and across the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, or reciprocally venture into the Chinese Mainland market," he noted.
"The key is that, we see new opportunities arising from collaboration and investment from Chinese Mainland companies, and this collaboration will translate into stronger bonding and mutual benefits that will be a win-win outcome for both countries."
Other guests attending the seminar included the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Mr Sim Tze Tzin; the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Mr Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, and the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau. The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, also attended and moderated a cross-professional forum.
Witnessed by Mr Yau and Mr Sim, Invest Hong Kong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MIDA to enhance co-operation on the sidelines of the seminar. Members of the delegation also exchanged two MOUs with local enterprises and chambers of commerce separately.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Ant International, and met with Senior Vice President of the company and the Chief Executive Officer of Antom, Mr Gary Liu, to learn more about its latest development,particularly its innovative digitisation solutions empowering SMEs in Malaysia and also Mainland companies going global.Both sides also exchanged views on fostering partnership between Mainland and Malaysian enterprises via Hong Kong as a platform.
The delegation then proceeded to visit Hong Leong Manufacturing Group, one of the country's largest diversified conglomerates engaging in automotive, semiconductors and building materials businesses, where they met and had an exchange with the President of the Group, Mr Kwek Leng San, to learn more about the group's latest business strategy and the local market situation.
In the evening, Mr Yau had a dinner meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia, Mr Liew Chin Tong, to get an update on the latest economic development of Malaysia and exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Malaysia, and ASEAN as a whole amid the change in the global economic landscape.
Mr Yau will attend the signing ceremony of an MOU between the Hong Kong Competition Commission and the Malaysia Competition Commission tomorrow (August 13) before returning to Hong Kong.
Photo
Photo
Photo
Photo
Photo
Photo
Photo
Photo
Photo
Photo
Photo
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
