Past Events

Market Outlook for the First Half of 2022: Strategies on International Trade and Supply Chain for SMEs

The persistent border closures and other anti-Covid measures have hindered global supply chain flows, leading to escalating business costs. Shirley Kwong and Jaff Lau, Commercial Banking Experts from HSBC Hong Kong, summarised the 2021 performance of international trade and the supply chain at a seminar on 20 January. They also shared their thoughts on future developments, and said that a sustainable and more stable supply chain would become the major focus.

At the same event, Ivy Tse and Tyrell Au, specialists in the global supply chain from FrieghtAmigo, projected the upcoming trends for international trade in 2022 and introduced the FreighTech and FinTech solution, which aim to help SMEs to increase their productivity amid a tough economic climate.

Kenneth Poon from Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation shared some tips on how SMEs can better protect themselves in the current turbulent times. He suggested SMEs should be aware of both pre-shipment and post-shipment risks, and can protect their businesses through risk transfer mechanisms.

Ivy Tse - Slide

Tax Changes Ahead: BEPS 2.0 and the E.U. Grey List

Two separate developments in the global tax landscape -- the new two-pillar international corporate tax framework known as BEPS 2.0 and the inclusion of Hong Kong on the E.U.’s watchlist on tax cooperation -- will have an impact on Hong Kong and businesses that currently benefit from the city's low and simple corporate tax.

At a webinar on 18 January, Jesse Kavanagh and Cecilia Lee, respectively Tax & Business Advisory Services Partner and Transfer Pricing Partner from PwC Hong Kong, discussed how these developments could potentially affect the tax compliance and planning process for businesses. They also explained their impact on Hong Kong's operating environment as the SAR government was moving forward to implement BEPS 2.0 by such means as establishing an advisory panel and holding focus groups; and to amend corresponding legislation to address E.U.’s concerns by the end of 2022.

Slides-PwC

Discussing Israel’s Tech Success

Amir Lati, recently appointed Consul General of the State of Israel in Hong Kong and Macao, paid a courtesy visit to the Chamber on 12 January. He was welcomed by the Chamber’s CEO George Leung, Europe Committee Chairman Davide de Rosa and PR & Programs Director Malcolm Ainsworth.

They discussed the latest Covid-19 impacts on business communities in both regions including the current travel restrictions. Lati said that Israel was known as a start-up nation, and was now rapidly transforming into a scale-up nation following a very fruitful 2021 for the technology sector. He explained that the country’s tech industry had attracted an unprecedented US$26 billion in capital, and that the sectors that had attracted the most investment were IT including fintech, cyber security, data protection, cloud computing and healthcare.

While attracting capital was not a problem, Lati said that the Israeli tech industry was suffering from a shortage of skilled IT workers. However, the country is taking action to address this shortfall and aims to increase the proportion of IT professionals from 10% to 15% of the workforce in the coming five years.

During the discussion, both sides shared their optimism about future collaboration opportunities, particularly the potential for Israeli business in the Greater Bay Area. Lati also said he looked forward to bringing Chamber members to Israel to foster business ties once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.