The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO), Ms Emily Mo, visited Vancouver from October 23 to 26 to promote Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, as well as a global hub for high-calibre talents.
In delivering the welcome address at the National Conference jointly hosted by the HKETO and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) in Vancouver on October 25, Ms Mo updated guests on the latest developments of Hong Kong.
Ms Mo first shared that the Fraser Institute of Canada recently ranked Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy, surpassing over 160 other economies. The city also consistently excels in various global rankings, including being the second-largest global offshore wealth management center, the third international financial hub, and one of the top ten in the World Talent Ranking.
“These commendations translate into abundant opportunities for international businesses and talent,” Ms Mo remarked. “In the first eight months of this year, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) saw a 57% increase in external companies seeking support to set up or expand in Hong Kong. Additionally, nearly 50 strategic enterprises have committed to establishing operations in Hong Kong, with investments exceeding CAD$6.5 billion and creating over 13,000 jobs, primarily in scientific research and management.”
Ms Mo also highlighted that the Chief Executive of Hong Kong released his Policy Address 2024 announcing new measures to inject vitality into the city’s economy. “These initiatives will focus on both established and emerging sectors, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a global hub for finance, shipping, trade, innovation and technology, and talent,” she said.
In addition, Ms Mo noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is exploring new growth areas. Plans include the development of a comprehensive commodity trading ecosystem to position Hong Kong as an international center for commodity trading, storage, logistics, risk management, and more. “A reduction in import tax on liquor is expected to boost trade and foster the growth of high-value industries such as tourism and premium food and beverage,” Ms Mo added.
Highlighting that Canada remains a significant source of talent for Hong Kong, Ms Mo emphasized that non-Chinese Hong Kong residents can now apply for multiple-entry visas to Mainland China, valid for up to five years, with each stay lasting up to 180 days. “This is one of the reasons why Canadian companies should consider opening an office in Hong Kong,” Ms Mo said.
The HKCBA’s National Conference, titled “Canada-Hong Kong: Forging a Bright Shared Future”, aims to provide a valuable platform for exploring innovation, partnerships, and new opportunities in Hong Kong and the Asian markets. The event was attended by over 200 guests, with panelists coming from Hong Kong and various parts of Canada, including the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Margaret Fong, and the Deputy Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), Ms Anna Au.
In addition, Ms Mo also attended the HKCBA Reception in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Speaking at the reception, Ms Mo congratulated HKCBA on this milestone and applauded the Association for its partnership with HKETO in promoting Canada-Hong Kong trade relations over the past four decades.
Earlier upon her arrival in Vancouver on October 23, Ms Mo joined a delegation from HKTE to attend and speak at a themed seminar titled “Unlock Your Future: Career Opportunities in Hong Kong” co-hosted by the HKCBA (Vancouver Section) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of Business. The event was supported by the HKETO, InvestHK and HKTE.
Ms Mo met with the business students from the UBC highlighting Hong Kong’s unique advantages and enormous job opportunities for overseas university graduates. Ms Au also introduced various talent attraction initiatives designed to attract professionals from diverse backgrounds who are seeking to advance their careers in Hong Kong, in addition to HKTE’s comprehensive support services.
During her four-day visit, Ms Mo paid a courtesy call to the Acting Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver, Mr Zeng Zhi, as well as members from the business sector and academia to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
Ms Mo returned to Toronto in the afternoon of October 26.
香港經貿處處長到訪溫哥華推廣香港作為國際金融中心及全球人才樞紐的地位
香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處（香港經貿處）處長巫菀菁十月二十三日至二十六日到訪溫哥華，推廣香港作為國際金融、航運及貿易中心以及國際高端人才樞紐的地位。
巫菀菁十月二十五日在溫哥華出席由香港經貿處及港加商會合辦的全國會議並致歡迎辭，她向與會嘉賓介紹香港的最新發展。
巫菀菁首先分享加拿大菲沙研究所最新評選香港為全球最自由經濟體，領先其餘160多個經濟體。香港亦持續在多項世界排名擁有領先地位，包括是全球第二大離岸財富管理中心、第三大國際金融中心以及位列世界人才排名全球前十名。
巫菀菁表示：「這些評價證明香港能為國際企業和人才帶來龐大機會。今年首八個月，向香港投資推廣署尋求協助在香港設立或擴張商務的境外公司數目增加57%。此外，接近50家策略企業承諾在香港設立業務，投資額逾65億加元，創造超過13,000個主要在科研及管理方面的就業職位。
巫菀菁同時強調，香港行政長官發表《2024年施政報告》，宣布新措施為香港經濟注入新動力。 她說：「這些措施重點關注傳統和新興行業，進一步鞏固香港作為全球金融、航運、貿易、科創中心以及人才樞紐的地位。」
此外，巫菀菁表示香港特別行政區政府正在拓展新領域，計劃包括發展全面的大宗商品交易生態圈，將香港定位為大宗商品交易、倉儲交割、航運物流、風險管理等國際中心。巫菀菁進一步表示：「我們預計降低酒類進口稅能促進貿易及帶動高端行業如旅遊和高端餐飲消費等產業的發展。」
巫菀菁強調，加拿大一直是香港重要的人才來源地，而非中國籍香港永久性居民現可申請一簽多行的簽證入境中國內地，有效期最長為五年，每次停留最長180天。巫菀菁說： 「這是加拿大公司應考慮在香港拓展業務的原因之一。」
題為｢Canada-Hong Kong: Forging a Bright Shared Future｣的港加商會全國會議是加拿大企業在香港及亞洲市場尋找創新、合作夥伴和新機遇的重要場合。是次活動超過200位嘉賓出席，有來自香港及加拿大不同省份的講者，包括香港貿易發展局行政總裁方舜文及香港人才服務辦公室（香港人才辦）副總監歐雪雯。
此外，巫菀菁亦出席了港加商會成立40周年的慶祝酒會。巫菀菁在酒會上致辭時，祝賀港加商會邁向新的里程碑，並讚揚商會在過去四十年與香港經貿處合作無間，推動加港經貿關係不遺餘力。
巫菀菁於十月二十三日抵達溫哥華後，聯同香港人才辦代表團出席港加商會（溫哥華分會）與卑詩大學尚德商學院合辦的主題研討會並致辭，該活動題為｢Unlock Your Future: Career Opportunities in Hong Kong｣，由香港經貿處、香港投資推廣署及香港人才辦支持舉辦。
巫菀菁與卑詩大學商科學生會面，強調香港的獨特優勢以及為海外大學畢業生提供的龐大就業機會。歐雪雯也介紹了各項吸引不同背景人才到香港發展事業的引才措施，並講解香港人才辦所提供的全面支援服務。
為期四天的訪問行程中，巫菀菁亦拜會了中國駐溫哥華代總領事曾智，並與商界和學術界代表會面，就共同關心的議題交換意見。
巫菀菁於十月二十六日下午返回多倫多。
