Hong Kong and Slovenia Sign Comprehensive Double Taxation Agreement, Boosting Trade and Investment Opportunities

Signing of tax pact with Slovenia marks new Hong Kong milestone in expanding international tax co-operation with 60th tax pact signed

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, had a bilateral meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to China, Mr Boštjan Malovrh, in Hong Kong today (September 4) and signed on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with the Government of Slovenia.

Mr Hui said, "This is the 60th CDTA that Hong Kong has concluded, the 15th one that the current-term Government has signed, and the fifth one this year. It marks a new milestone of the HKSAR Government's efforts in proactively expanding Hong Kong's CDTA network.

"Slovenia is an important trading partner of Hong Kong in Europe and a participant in the Belt and Road Initiative. Last September, I travelled to Slovenia to discuss the early conclusion of the CDTA between our two jurisdictions and received a positive response from the Slovenian Government, which has led to the formal signing of the agreement by both sides today. The CDTA sets out the allocation of taxing rights between Hong Kong and Slovenia, which will enable investors to better assess their potential tax liabilities from cross-border economic activities and avoid double taxation, thereby promoting bilateral trade and investment.

"The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau is also actively following up on the consensus to strengthen co-operation reached during the Chief Executive's visit to two Central Asian countries this June. We have completed CDTA negotiations with Kazakhstan and the CDTA will be signed once both sides have completed the internal procedures. We will also commence negotiations with Uzbekistan later this year."

At the bilateral meeting, Mr Hui highlighted to Mr Malovrh the latest developments of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, including its top-tier global positions in areas such as cross-boundary wealth management, global competitiveness and tax policy, as well as the HKSAR Government's initiatives to develop Hong Kong into a global gold trading, clearing and reserve hub.

In accordance with this CDTA, any tax paid by Hong Kong residents in Slovenia will be allowed as a credit against the tax payable in Hong Kong in respect of the same income, subject to the provisions of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (IRO). Moreover, Slovenia's withholding tax rate for Hong Kong residents on dividends, currently at up to 25 per cent, will be reduced to 10 per cent at maximum, while the withholding tax rates on interest and royalties, currently at up to 25 per cent, will also be reduced to 5 per cent.

The CDTA will come into force after completion of ratification procedures by both sides. In Hong Kong, the Chief Executive in Council will make an order under the IRO in respect of the CDTA, which will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting. Details are available on the Inland Revenue Department's website.

Signing of tax pact with Slovenia marks new Hong Kong milestone in expanding international tax co-operation with 60th tax pact signed Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Signing of tax pact with Slovenia marks new Hong Kong milestone in expanding international tax co-operation with 60th tax pact signed Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Signing of tax pact with Slovenia marks new Hong Kong milestone in expanding international tax co-operation with 60th tax pact signed Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Signing of tax pact with Slovenia marks new Hong Kong milestone in expanding international tax co-operation with 60th tax pact signed Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health chairs 17th meeting of Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, chaired the 17th meeting of the Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) today (September 4) to discuss strategies and actions to tackle NCDs.

Professor Lo said, "In 2025, NCDs such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory diseases accounted for more than half (53.7 per cent) of all registered deaths in Hong Kong. Similar to many other countries and regions, Hong Kong is facing public health threats driven by an ageing population and NCDs, which impose a mounting burden on society and the healthcare system."

In the meeting, members evaluated the progress of nine local targets for NCD prevention and control. Professor Lo emphasised, "Through multidisciplinary collaboration, the risk of premature mortality from the four aforementioned major NCDs in Hong Kong has declined continuously, with a 28 per cent reduction compared to 2010, indicating that our efforts have translated into concrete and measurable health outcomes. Reasons for this include a marked decline in Hong Kong's smoking rate, from 23.3 per cent in 1982 to a historic low of 8.5 per cent in 2025, which directly reduced the public's risk of developing severe tobacco-related diseases or even mortality."

However, common risk factors for NCDs such as obesity and insufficient physical activity currently remain prevalent. With a view to effectively controlling the relevant risks, the Government launched Hong Kong's first Action Plan on Weight Management in March this year in accordance with the 2025 Policy Address and drawing on national and World Health Organization policy frameworks. Spearheaded by an interdepartmental Weight Management Working Group, which co-ordinates corresponding measures across sectors such as healthcare, education, recreation and culture, as well as urban planning, the Action Plan outlines five key directions and 15 specific objectives to be systematically implemented over three years. The Action Plan adopts a life-course approach to provide appropriate support at every key stage of life, from prenatal nutrition, habit formation during school years, health management for working adults to maintaining physical function in the elderly. More importantly, the Action Plan aims to strengthen the role of primary healthcare as the "gatekeeper", promote collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine and integrate health data through the eHealth platform, thereby supporting citizens in managing their health.

The Government is implementing the reform measures set out in the Primary Healthcare Blueprint at full steam to establish a prevention-oriented primary healthcare system. In March this year, the Health Bureau launched the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network, introducing preventive measures recommended in the Hong Kong Primary Healthcare Reference Framework for Life Course Preventive Care in Primary Healthcare, as well as a framework for regular screening and management of high-risk diseases. Furthermore, services provided by the Elderly Health Centres under the Department of Health (DH) will be progressively integrated into the district health network from October this year, allowing more people from different age groups and risk groups to receive full-cycle health management in the community.

To effectively monitor NCDs in Hong Kong and support the formulation of public health policies, the DH commenced the fourth territory-wide Population Health Survey last September, collecting pertinent information on the health status and lifestyles of the local population to update and enrich the Government's database on population health. The findings will facilitate the ongoing review of the various targets under the Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control NCDs in Hong Kong.

Secretary for Health chairs 17th meeting of Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health chairs 17th meeting of Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases