Hong Kong, China participates actively in APEC 2021 Economic Leaders' Week

Hong Kong, China has actively participated in the APEC 2021 Economic Leaders' Week last week, pledging support for international cooperation in fighting against the pandemic and championing free trade as a solution for the post-pandemic global economy recovery.

Speaking at the Economic Leaders' Meeting, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, stressed Hong Kong, China's determination to join all APEC member economies to navigate through the pandemic, and the importance to guard against resurgence of the pandemic which would set back some of the progress made in the road to recovery. She noted that Hong Kong, China has donated 7.5 million doses of COVID vaccine to the World Health Organization's COVAX to help vulnerable countries fight the pandemic.

She also gave an account of Hong Kong, China's reassuring economic outlook. "Being one of the world's freest economies, sixth largest trading entity and third largest destination of foreign direct investment, we are benefiting from the revitalised manufacturing activities and resumption of demands around the world as shown by our 14.2 per cent year-on-year growth in goods export in the third quarter of this year. Our economy has grown by 7.0 per cent year-on-year in the first nine months and we are expecting 6.4 per cent for the whole year," said Mrs Lam.

Read more here.

SCED at APEC Ministerial Meeting: Unimpeded trade solution to economic recovery

At the APEC Ministerial Meeting this week, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, called upon member economies to maintain an open, reliable and predictable trade environment for robust economic recovery in the region. He reiterated Hong Kong’s readiness to join RCEP and highlighted our support for the sustainable development agenda, including the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050 and the development of green finance.

APEC is one of the platforms through which Hong Kong contributes to driving regional trade. Hong Kong has been an APEC member since 1991.

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202111/09/P2021110900441.htm

CE delivers 2021 Policy Address

Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, delivered her fifth Policy Address today to set out her plan for the future of Hong Kong. Under the theme of "Building a Bright Future Together", the policy address proposed initiatives across a wide spectrum of policy issues, including the “One Country, Two Systems” practice, enhancing governance, housing & land, new impetus to the economy, building a liveable city, talent & youth development and improving people’s livelihood.

Read more:
Chief Executive's 2021 Policy Address full text and Highlight
CE outlines bright future for Hong Kong in Policy Address
CE targets priority areas for economic development
SCED briefs representatives of local chambers of commerce on Policy Address initiatives

HKSAR releases Business Environment report

HKSAR Government published "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: A Place with Unique Advantages and Unlimited Opportunities". The Report reviews and sets out Hong Kong's current business environment and advantages following the events over the past two years, and describes the development opportunities available to Hong Kong under the country's new phase and pattern of development.

Read the report at: www.hkeconomy.gov.hk/en/environment/index.htm

ASEAN economic ministers welcome Hong Kong to seek accession to RCEP

At the ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultations, ministers of ASEAN Member States welcomed Hong Kong to seek accession to RCEP.

During the meeting, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said that Hong Kong's accession to RCEP would provide an additional platform for promoting trade and investment between ASEAN and Hong Kong. It would also help further consolidate the regional supply chain, providing more access and choices of high-quality services to enterprises in the region.

ASEAN as a bloc is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner. Despite COVID-19, bilateral trade between Hong Kong and ASEAN continued to record robust growth. In H1 2021, trade in goods between the two sides jumped by 21% y-o-y, reaching a total of HK$589.7 billion.

Find here for the press release, here:

Applications for Taking Common Recruitment Examination and Basic Law Test (Degree / Professional Grades) in Hong Kong in October 2021

Application for sitting in the Common Recruitment Examination and Basic Law Test (CRE and BLT) has been opened until August 20. CRE and BLT tests are scheduled to be held on October 2 and 9 in Hong Kong. Examination is also scheduled to be held on 4 December 2021 in seven other cities - Beijing, London, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, and Sydney. Due to the evolving situation regarding COVID-19, the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) will adjust the arrangements for the examination if the situation warrants and announce them on the CSB webpage.

Visit www.csb.gov.hk/eng/cre.html for more details.