Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Labour Department responds to Office of The Ombudsman’s direct investigation report The LD attaches great importance to the occupational safety and health (OSH) of the construction industry. The department is pleased to note that the Ombudsman affirmed and recognised its numerous effective work efforts in enhancing the OSH of the construction industry, including (i) amending the OSH legislation to increase the maximum penalties for OSH offenses; (ii) revising a number of codes of practice to strengthen safety requirements for specific work processes; (iii) conducting special enforcement operations to curb unsafe work practices; (iv) improving mandatory safety training courses and enhancing the supervision of course providers; and (v) promoting a culture of safety through various channels.
Meanwhile, the LD has been taking various follow-up actions on the recommendations in the report, including (i) planning to start a trial of using small unmanned aircraft to assist in law enforcement in the second half of 2025 and exploring the adoption of speech-to-text technology to assist in taking statements, thereby improving the efficiency of frontline officers in law enforcement and evidence collection; (ii) broadening the participation of safety committee meetings to cover high-risk private construction sites with a poor safety performance to enhance risk monitoring; (iii) strengthening monitoring of safety practitioners to ensure they will discharge their duties cautiously; and (iv) enhancing the monitoring of mandatory safety training course providers and instructors’ performance.
An LD spokesman said, “In addition to the above measures, the LD will actively study and follow up on other recommendations raised by the Ombudsman, and strengthen the collaboration with the Development Bureau and the Buildings Department. The LD will continue to adopt a three-pronged strategy, including inspection and enforcement, publicity and promotion as well as education and training, complemented by the application of technology, to actively promote and foster an OSH culture in the construction industry, enhance workers’ OSH awareness and prevent accidents.” Issued at HKT 12:40
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Tik Chi-yuen and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
Question:
It has been reported that in recent years, a prolonged lack of external support has caused heavy physical and mental pressure to quite a number of carers and even led to unfortunate incidents. Hence, some community groups have advocated the establishment of a “register of carers”, with a view to accurately and promptly identifying high-risk cases and providing relevant support to prevent the recurrence of tragedies. In addition, the Government has proposed in the 2024 Policy Address the setting up of an inter-disciplinary and inter-organisation database for carers for early identification of high-risk cases and provision of support, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare indicated in a media interview in February this year that the authorities were pressing ahead with the preparatory work for the database. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) how the Government defines “carers”, and what specific criteria and parameters the Government will adopt in identifying carers;
(2) of the specific benchmarks adopted by the Government for classifying “high-risk”, “medium-risk” and “low-risk” carers, including whether factors such as the carers’ physical and mental health, financial situation, social support network and care burden will be taken into account in classifying them;
(3) of the Government’s specific implementation timetable (including phased implementation arrangement) for setting up the database for carers;
(4) of the major difficulties currently faced by the Government in taking forward the setting up of the database for carers (including but not limited to challenges in areas such as cross-departmental collaboration, information collection, privacy protection and resource allocation); and
(5) apart from identifying high-risk carers, whether the Government will concurrently expand the relevant support services (including but not limited to increasing the provision of day care services and respite services for the elderly and persons with disabilities, as well as psychological support services for carers) and regularise the carer allowance schemes with the exemption from the restrictions on double benefits?
Reply:
President,
In response to the Dr the Hon Tik Chi-yuen’s question, our reply is as follows:
(1) The Government is committed to providing diversified services to support carers. To meet the needs of individuals, government bureaux and departments may define carers for individual measures in ways aligned with their specific goals and target groups to ensure appropriate support is provided to carers under their respective programmes and policy objectives.
As far as welfare policy is concerned, the Government has been progressively implementing a number of measures since 2023 to enhance support for carers of elderly persons and carers of persons with disabilities. The Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Social Welfare Department are committed to providing various services to support carers of elderly persons and carers of persons with disabilities, including financial assistance, care skills training, counselling and emotional support, and in parallel, providing the elderly and persons with disabilities with personal care, home cleaning, rehabilitation training, respite services, etc, to enhance the carers’ caring capacity and relieve their pressure.
(2) to (4) The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the Government is exploring the setting up of an inter-disciplinary and inter-organisation database on carers of elderly persons and carers of persons with disabilities, with a view to identifying high-risk cases for early intervention and support. Preliminary, the database will cover older carers and low-income carers. As the purposes of data collection by different organisations may not have included the provision of social welfare support services to the persons concerned, the Government is in discussion with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on the design of data-sharing schemes to ensure they qualify for the relevant exemptions under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO). Meanwhile, we are preparing data from various databases with the aim of carrying out pilot projects in full compliance with the PDPO.
(5) Since 2023, the Government has been progressively implementing various measures to enhance support for carers. Key support measures include:
(i) Designated Hotline for Carer Support (Carer Hotline): Launched in September 2023, the 24-hour Carer Hotline (182 183) offers immediate consultation and counselling, outreach, emergency support and referral services. It also matches respite services for care recipients in need and provides transportation allowances for carers, assisting them in escorting elderly persons or persons with disabilities to receive respite services;
(ii) Information Gateway for Carers: Launched in November 2023, the one-stop Information Gateway for Carers provides information on services for elderly persons, persons with disabilities and their carers; caring skills; and community activities and resources for carers;
(iii) Extension of the District Services and Community Care Teams – Scheme on Supporting Elderly and Carers (the Scheme): In April 2025, the Scheme extended from piloting in Tsuen Wan and Southern District to all 18 districts across the territory. Care Teams will help identify households of singleton and doubleton elderly, and carers of elderly persons and persons with disabilities, with a view to providing them with care and support services including information on social welfare services and community resources, referring eligible elderly persons and persons with disabilities to install and use the indoor emergency alarm system (known as “Safety Bell”); and referring cases in need to social welfare service units for follow-up;
(iv) Expansion of the respite service network: Starting from October and December 2023 respectively, around 20 Homes under the Bought Place Scheme (BPS) for Private Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities and around 140 private residential care homes for the elderly participated in the Enhanced BPS, offering day respite services to persons with disabilities and elderly persons in need respectively when vacancies in residential respite placements arise. From December 2024, about 120 service units participating in the Community Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly have expanded their day care services from center-based services that only serve voucher holders to providing day respite services for any elderly persons in need, allowing carers to select respite service points in the vicinity according to their needs;
(v) Utilising technology to relieve carer burden and stress: The Government has injected an additional $1 billion to the Innovation and Technology Fund for Application in Elderly and Rehabilitation Care (I&T Fund) in 2024-25, and expanded the scope of the I&T Fund to cover technology products suitable for household use. Eligible elderly and rehabilitation services units can apply to purchase suitable technology products for lending to elderly persons, persons with disabilities and their carers for use at home, so as to improve the quality of life of service users and relieve the burden and pressure of carers; and
(vi) Scheme on Living Allowance for Carers of Elderly Persons from Low-income Families and Scheme on Living Allowance for Low-income Carers of Persons with Disabilities (the Carer Allowance Schemes): The Carer Allowance Schemes have been incorporated into the Government’s regular assistance programmes since October 2023, providing a cash living allowance to the carers of low-income families who do not receive Comprehensive Social Security Assistance or Old Age Living Allowance, to help supplement their living expenses.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Alexander (Chief Executive Officer Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Germany of Deutsche Bank, Mr Alexander von zur Mühlen), Marco (Head of Emerging Markets of Deutsche Bank Private Bank, Mr Marco), Salman (Vice Chairman of Deutsche Bank Private Bank, Mr Salman Mahdi), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning.
It is a great pleasure to join you all at this year’s Deutsche Bank Emerging Markets Family Office Forum. My sincere thanks to Deutsche Bank for bringing to Hong Kong such a distinguished group of family principals, next-generation leaders and senior decision-makers from across the globe.
Stability, for family offices
While the focus today is on family offices, it would be remiss of me not to address a broader issue: that is, the so-called “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by the US (United States) on its trading partners. And why it further illustrates that Hong Kong is the right destination for family offices.
Much has been said about the flip-flopping of the Trump Administration and the prospects of the tariff war. For family offices, this uncertainty and unpredictability have added new complexities to their asset allocation strategies.
Currently, across the world, sovereign governments and investors are seeking to de-risk their allocations and expand their portfolios to markets that provide policy clarity, consistency and credibility. The same holds true for family offices looking to preserve and grow their wealth in a secure and predictable environment.
In this context, Hong Kong stands out as a robust destination of choice. Allow me to share a few observations.
First, our stock market. With a capitalisation of nearly US$5 trillion, it is deep and liquid, and has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Following the tariff announcements, the Hang Seng Index saw a sharp fall on Monday last week. But the market has since been regaining ground. Trading volumes have been high, indicating the strong underlying liquidity. Over the past week, the average daily turnover of our stock market was about HK$360 billion, about 2.8 times of that in 2024. That speaks volumes about investors’ interest and confidence in our market.
In fact, over the past few years, the Government, along with our financial regulators, have put in place a round-the-clock, cross-market surveillance system to detect and address potential threats associated with market volatility. We focus on whether the markets are functioning in an orderly manner, and whether there are irregularities or systemic risks that will threaten Hong Kong’s financial stability. So far, there has been no cause for concern.
Second, the Hong Kong dollar remains firm, trading on the strong side of its convertibility range, which indicates that there is no capital flight. Indeed, our bank deposits have been on a rising trend over the past year. In February, we had over US$2.2 trillion in bank deposits, rising by some 10 per cent compared to a year ago. Our Linked Exchange Rate System continues to function smoothly, underscoring the strength and stability of our monetary system.
Beyond financial security and stability, Hong Kong offers compelling reasons for family offices to anchor their operations and allocate their assets here.
First, it is the “one country, two systems” principle which provides the foundation for long-term prosperity and reinforces the IFC (international financial centre) status of Hong Kong. President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed on multiple occasions that the “one country, two systems” arrangement will remain in place in Hong Kong in the long run. Hong Kong’s unique position as a gateway between the Mainland and the world is highly cherished by the Central Authorities.
In essence, Hong Kong will continue to uphold the defining features that set us apart from the rest of China: a free port; free trade policy; free flow of capital, goods, people and information; and a freely convertible currency. We remain open, diverse, cosmopolitan and committed to welcoming capital, business and talent from around the world. This is deep in our DNA.
A crucial element of the “one country, two systems” principle is the common law system underpinned by an independent judiciary. Despite misconceptions about our city, the facts are convincing: in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index, Hong Kong ranks ahead of the US and many European countries.
According to a recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong released in January this year, 83 per cent of its members expressed confidence in our rule of law. The figure has registered a consistent rise over the past two years.
Our simple, low-tax regime is another strong advantage. We impose no capital gains tax, no estate tax and no tax on dividends, offering a highly enviable environment for wealth preservation and growth.
Our international competitiveness is evident by various global rankings. We are the world’s freest economy, Asia’s top financial centre, and the fifth-most competitive economy globally.
Here in Hong Kong, your capital is safe. Protection of capital and private property is enshrined in our Basic Law. We honour our international obligations and have never implemented any sanctions unilaterally imposed by other jurisdictions.
Opportunities for investments and businesses
Ladies and gentlemen, beyond the above institutional fundamentals, Hong Kong is a city of immense opportunities. Let me highlight three points.
First, beyond the stock market that I mentioned earlier, we offer a full range of options for you to deploy your capital. Our venture capital and private equity sector manages over US$230 billion, which is second only to the Mainland. We are Asia’s No. 1 hedge fund base. Our asset and wealth management sector oversees close to US$4 trillion of assets, with over half of them sourced internationally.
Second, innovation and technology is powering Hong Kong’s next chapter. We are investing heavily to develop AI and other frontier technologies as new pillars of our economy. Our strategy encompasses building infrastructure, providing funding support, attracting strategic enterprises and talent, and engaging in international exchanges. Now, “AI+” is the name of the game, and we are working for its deep integration with various sectors and industries.
To nurture industries of tomorrow, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, or HKIC, was established with US$8 billion in capital. It is patient capital, focusing on deep tech, biotech and new materials, and new energy. It is guiding, channelling and leveraging market capital to support tech industries and segments at their nascent stages to help build the ecosystem. So far, the HKIC has supported over 100 projects, drawing in four dollars of private capital for every dollar it invested. We welcome family offices to form partnerships and co-invest with HKIC.
Third, Hong Kong’s synergistic development with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or the GBA, which is home to 87 million people with a per capita GDP of US$40,000 on a purchasing power parity basis. It is a young and massive consumer market. The increasingly affluent population has a growing demand for quality financial products and services, and a need for diversified asset allocation.
The GBA is also a technology and innovation hub. Home to many tech giants and start-ups, the GBA has a highly educated workforce, and exceptional commercialisation and advanced manufacturing capabilities. In fact, Hong Kong, together with Shenzhen and Guangzhou in the GBA, is ranked the second most innovative cluster in the world for five consecutive years.
Overall speaking, the GBA is rising as a region combining the advantages of the New York Bay Area and San Francisco Bay Area.
Impact, philanthropy and living
Beyond investments, Hong Kong is also blessed with a vibrant, collaborative philanthropic community. Our financial institutions, businesses, think tanks, local and global foundations and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) have come together to form partnerships that deliver projects that are scalable, and socially and environmentally impactful.
And when it comes to lifestyle, Hong Kong is unmatched in Asia.
Over the past few weeks, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and Coldplay lit up our brand new Kai Tak Stadium. Indeed, from world-class performances and Michelin-starred dining to vibrant art, heritage and hiking trails, Hong Kong offers a lifestyle that global families would dream for.
This city also offers the best education for children. More than 50 international schools operate in this city, providing a wide range of curricula to meet the diverse needs of global families. Five of our universities are ranked within the global top 100.
And Hong Kong is among the safest metropolitan cities in the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is no surprise that Hong Kong is now home to over 2 700 family offices – half of which manage assets exceeding US$50 million. We expect that number to grow to 3 000 very soon.
To support this growth, we have introduced dedicated tax concessions for single family offices. We are currently working to expand the scope of exemptions and enlarge the eligibility for concessions. There is a bespoke service team under Invest Hong Kong to help family offices with their setup, compliance, talent sourcing, philanthropic engagement, and more. You are most welcome to approach them.
My thanks once again to Deutsche Bank for convening this meaningful Forum. I wish you all a productive forum and an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong – a city which I hope you will call home soon. Thank you very much.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kwok-fan and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
Question:
The Labour Department has implemented the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) since September 2023, suspending the general exclusion of the 26 job categories as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts (job categories) from labour importation for two years. The ESLS will expire in September this year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the situation of labour importation for the aforesaid job categories since the implementation of ESLS, including (i) the number of imported workers who have arrived in Hong Kong to work and (ii) the median wage of imported workers, as well as the respective (iii) local employment rates and (iv) median wages of local workers for such job categories; President,
To cope with the challenges brought about by manpower shortage and on the premise of ensuring employment priority for local workers, the Government has enhanced the mechanism for importation of labour. Apart from launching sector???specific labour importation schemes for the construction sector, transport sector, and residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities, the Labour Department (LD) has implemented the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) since September 4, 2023, to suspend the general exclusion of the 26 job categories as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts from labour importation under the previous Supplementary Labour Scheme for two years.
In consultation with the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), our reply to the Hon Lau Kwok-fan’s questions is as follows: Employers approved to import workers under the ESLS are required to arrange for their prospective imported workers to submit visa/entry permit applications to the Immigration Department within the periods specified in the approval-in-principle letters (generally within six months from the issue dates of the letters). The time of imported workers arriving in Hong Kong depends on the progress of employers’ handling of relevant procedures. The LD does not maintain the number of imported workers who have arrived to work in Hong Kong under the ESLS.
As required by the ESLS, applicant employers must undertake local open recruitment and give priority to employing qualified local workers to fill the vacancies at a salary not lower than the median monthly wage of a comparable position in the market. The median monthly wage by major job categories is at Annex 2. The latest median monthly wage of other common posts is available in the List of Common Posts on LD’s ESLS dedicated webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/plan/iwESLS.htm The C&SD does not compile statistics on local employment rate by job categories under the ESLS.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Frankie Yick and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
Question:
It has been reported that from time to time, the Police conduct enforcement actions against specific vehicles to combat offences under the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374A). However, some commercial vehicle drivers have indicated that the Police’s enforcement actions in recent years have been too stringent (e.g. vehicles which have just passed the annual examination of the Transport Department are still subject to the issuance of vehicle examination orders or towed away for examination), thus affecting the normal operation of the trade and the livelihood of drivers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the following information on the enforcement actions taken by the Police against various types of commercial vehicles in contravention of Cap. 374A in the past two years: the number of such actions, the number of days, the locations and the police resources involved;
(2) of the following information on the offences involving contravention of Cap. 374A in each of the past two years: (i) the number of vehicle examination orders issued, (ii) the number of vehicles towed away for examination and (iii) the number of vehicles which were not found to have contravened the regulations after examination, and set out in the table below a breakdown by vehicle class (i.e. (a) taxi, (b) public light bus, (c) student service vehicle, (d) tourist coach and (e) goods vehicle);
Vehicle class
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
2023
2024
2023
2024
2023
2024
(a)
……
(e)
(3) of the most commonly contravened offences under Cap. 374A in the past two years; whether the authorities will step up publicity and education efforts targeting at offences relating to Cap. 374A, so as to ensure road safety; and
(4) as there are views that the Police’s enforcement actions in respect of traffic offences and contraventions “take the easy way out”, focusing only on unlawful acts relating to the construction of vehicles but neglecting the harm brought about by vehicles used for illegal carriage of passengers for reward (commonly known as “white licence cars”), whether the authorities will step up enforcement actions against white licence cars; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In respect of the questions about traffic enforcement raised by the Hon Frankie Yick, having consulted the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Transport Department (TD), my reply is as follows:
(1) Taking enforcement action against contraventions of the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374A) is a regular duty of the HKPF. The HKPF does not keep a breakdown of the statistics being enquired.
(2) and (3) The HKPF takes enforcement actions against vehicles which do not comply with the requirements of the Regulations or are unfit for use on road from time to time, including requiring the vehicles concerned to undergo examination to ensure road safety. The vehicle examination dates specified in the vehicle examination orders issued by the TD are normally set at three weeks after the date of issue to allow sufficient time for the vehicle owners to rectify the situation.
The number of vehicles detained and examined by the HKPF for suspected non-compliance with the Regulations or being unfit for road use, the number of vehicle examination orders issued by the TD in respect of referrals made by the HKPF (excluding those which were towed away by the HKPF for examination), and the number of such vehicles which have passed the examination on the first time in the past two years are set out at the Annex. The HKPF does not keep statistics on the most commonly contravened offences under the Regulations.
Based on the number of licensed vehicles in Hong Kong in 2023 and 2024, the number of vehicles detained and inspected by the HKPF (including all types of vehicles such as private cars and commercial vehicles) only accounted for 0.3 per cent of the licensed vehicles. As regards the number of vehicle examination orders issued by the TD in response to the HKPF’s referrals, the number of taxi, light buses, buses and goods vehicles issued with examination orders only accounted for 0 per cent to 0.5 per cent of the licensed vehicles of the respective types. Most of the taxis and light buses subject to examination were able to pass the inspection on the first time.
(4) The Government has been paying close attention to the use of vehicles for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward. In taking traffic enforcement actions, apart from following the established guidelines, the HKPF will also consider each case on its own merits and deploy resources flexibly to take appropriate regulatory and enforcement actions. The HKPF has been taking targeted enforcement actions and gathering intelligence through various channels, with a view to combating illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward. Where sufficient evidence is found indicating that a vehicle without a valid hire car permit is suspected to be used for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, enforcement actions will be taken accordingly.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ14: Immigration clearance service at Hong Kong International Airport It has been reported that passenger throughput at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) reached 53.1 million last year, representing an increase of more than 30 per cent compared to 2023. However, it is learnt that many overseas visitors have to wait for a long time before they could complete immigration clearance procedures at HKIA, which has adversely affected the reputation of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the annual number of inbound and outbound passenger trips at the HKIA control point in the past three years, their average waiting time for immigration clearance (including for those using the Automated Passenger Clearance System (e-Channel) service), and the proportion of cases where the waiting time exceeded the standard of the Immigration Department’s performance pledge;
(2) whether it has conducted a survey on the specific difference in the average time taken to clear visitors between HKIA and other major international airports, including those in Japan, Korea, Thailand and Singapore; if not, whether it has plans to conduct such a survey with a view to improving the standard of Hong Kong’s immigration clearance service; and
(3) of the total annual number of visitors who used the e-Channel service at HKIA in the past three years, with a breakdown by the country and place of origin; whether it has plans to consider adjusting the eligibility criteria for visitors to register for the e-Channel service (e.g. lowering the requirement for the number of visits to Hong Kong by a visitor), thereby broadening the coverage of the service; whether it will allow visitors to opt to use facial recognition technology for self-service immigration clearance so that more visitors who meet the basic eligibility criteria can enjoy the convenience of the automated immigration clearance service; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In 2024, a total of around 298 million passengers passed through Hong Kong’s control points, representing an increase of about 41 per cent over 2023 and a return to the level in 2019. The total number of visitor arrivals was about 44.5 million, representing an increase of about 31 per cent compared to 2023. Among them, around 9.86 million visitors travelled through the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) control point, representing an increase of about 42 per cent over 2023. In response to the significant volume of passenger traffic and adhering to the spirit of striving for excellence and innovation, the Immigration Department (ImmD) keeps leveraging innovative technologies to continuously improve its immigration clearance services. Various facilitation measures have been implemented at control points in order to provide visitors with a more convenient clearance experience.
The reply to the Hon Rock Chen’s question is as follows:
(1) In the past three years, the annual number of inbound and outbound passenger trips at the HKIA control point was as follows:
Year Regarding the clearance services at the HKIA control point, the ImmD pledges to clear 95 per cent of visitors within a 15-minute waiting time. Over the past three years, an average of over 99 per cent of visitors were cleared within a 15-minute waiting time each year. During peak passenger traffic periods at the HKIA, the ImmD would flexibly deploy manpower and optimise workflows, including operating additional counters and e-Channels when necessary, to ensure smooth passenger flow.
(2) According to the open information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, in December 2024, the rate at which the major airports in Japan (including New Chitose Airport, Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, Chubu Airport, Kansai Airport, Fukuoka Airport and Naha Airport) cleared inbound visitors within 20 minutes was 66 per cent. As for other major international airports mentioned in the question (i.e. those in Korea, Thailand and Singapore), the respective authorities have not disclosed data on the average immigration waiting time. Meanwhile, in a recent World Passenger Survey commissioned by Skytrax, an international specialist research agent in the air transport industry, the ImmD won the 2025 Skytrax Award for Best Airport Immigration Service. This marks another accomplishment of the ImmD following previous awards in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020, reflecting the global recognition of the services provided by the ImmD. The ImmD will continue to maintain close ties with immigration authorities worldwide, engaging in exchanges and sharing, as well as learning from their experiences and practices, with a view to introducing further visitor-friendly measures to enhance the level of clearance facilitation, thereby supporting the overall development of Hong Kong.
(3) In the past three years, the annual number of inbound and outbound passenger trips using the e-Channel service at the HKIA control point was as follows:
Year The ImmD does not maintain a breakdown of other visitors by country or place of origin.
To enhance the level of convenience for immigration clearance, the ImmD has been leveraging innovative technologies to boost the efficiency of e-Channels and broaden the service to cover more target groups.
Currently, frequent visitors to Hong Kong (typically those who have made visits to Hong Kong via the HKIA for no fewer than three times in the past 12 months) and eligible passport holders from countries that have entered into an agreement with Hong Kong for mutual use of automated clearance services (including Korea, Singapore, Germany, Australia and Thailand) can enrol for the e-Channel service. Eligible visitors to Hong Kong holding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Travel Passes, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards or Frequent Flyer Programme membership cards issued by relevant airlines can even enrol for the e-Channel service right upon their first arrival in Hong Kong. In addition, the ImmD launched the Smart Departure e-Channels in October 2017 which utilise facial recognition technology to verify visitors’ identities, thereby enabling eligible visitors from over 100 locations to complete self-service departure clearance without prior enrolment. Also, the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons has been launched since March 18, 2025 to provide automated clearance services for invited persons from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
For visitors from the Mainland and Macao, the ImmD lowered the eligible age from 16 to 11 years old or above for holders of the Mainland’s electronic Exit-Entry Permits for travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao to use the e-Channel service in April 2023. The ImmD also launched the “Mutual Use of QR Code between HKSAR and Macao SAR Clearance Service” jointly with the Macao authorities in July last year, allowing eligible residents of both places to use QR Codes to pass through the automated clearance channels.
To further reduce waiting time for inbound visitors, the ImmD is actively exploring ways to enhance the e-Channel service arrangements for visitors to Hong Kong, including relaxing application requirements for frequent visitors to Hong Kong and streamlining enrolment procedures. The ImmD will also step up publicity to boost the e-Channel service enrolment rate among visitors. Additionally, the ImmD and the Airport Authority Hong Kong are exploring the feasibility of installing additional e-Channels in the HKIA arrivals hall to cater for the trend that more visitors will use automated clearance service and the increase in demand in the longer term. Taking into account the practical and unique operational needs of immigration clearance at the HKIA, the ImmD is also looking into other measures, such as optimising staff deployment, to flexibly meet service demands while ensuring quality and efficiency of service.
The ImmD will regularly review existing policies and measures, striving to balance effective immigration control with facilitating inbound visitors. Furthermore, the ImmD will continuously strive for innovation in enhancing clearance efficiency as well as broadening the e-Channel service to cover more target groups. Issued at HKT 11:58
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Public welcome to watch 15th National Games Beach Volleyball test event Nine men’s teams and eight women’s teams will participate in the three-day test event. In both the men’s and women’s tournaments, participating teams will be divided into two groups with each playing a single round robin before they reach the knockout stage. There will be two sessions on the first day, which are from 9.30am to 2.30pm, and from 4pm to 8.30pm. For the other two days, matches will be held from noon to 8.30pm on the second day and from noon to 8pm on the last day.
The test event is organised by the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) and co-organised by the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China, with the China Volleyball Association as advisor. Tickets have been distributed to the public through the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China. Those who possess a ticket will undergo a security check at the public entrance located at a soccer pitch of Victoria Park and watch the event in the public viewing area. The public entrance is accessible from MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit E via Great George Street (please refer to the annex for the location). A small number of tickets have been reserved for distribution on-site. Members of the public who are interested may obtain a ticket at the public entrance for admission while stocks last.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Siu-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
Question:
It is learnt that there are different organisations in Hong Kong (e.g. research and development centres, research institutes and statutory bodies) which are responsible for promoting and co-ordinating the development of innovation and technology (I&T), and among them, some are wholly owned by or established with funding support from the Government, while some others are established as independent legal entities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the following information on the aforesaid organisations, which are wholly owned by, established or operated with funding support from the Government, and statutory bodies (such as the Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation) (including the existing ones and those under formation): (i) objectives of the organisations, (ii) positioning of the organisations, and (iii) their responsibilities, together with a breakdown by their respective sectors (i.e. upstream, midstream and downstream) in the I&T ecosystem;
(2) whether it has examined if the organisations mentioned in (1) have overlapping or similar functions; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether it will adopt a “zero-based mindset” (i.e. a mindset of getting rid of the existing framework and thinking from scratch) in planning afresh the resources currently allocated to I&T development, such as by reorganising or merging organisations with similar functions, so as to better dovetail with the development strategies put forward in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint?
Reply:
President,
The consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by the Hon Chan Siu-hung is as follows:
Infrastructure is the cornerstone of innovation and technology (I&T) development, while the foundation of such development is research and development (R&D). In the past years, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has devoted substantial resources to implement a series of infrastructural projects and established various R&D institutes and platforms, with a view to enhancing our local I&T ecosystem continuously. Such organisations include the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), Cyberport, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the R&D Centres under the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC).
Established in 2001, the HKSTPC is a statutory body wholly owned by the Government. As an I&T flagship in Hong Kong, the HKSTPC is committed to providing infrastructure facilities, incubation programmes and one-stop support services for I&T enterprises, thereby promoting the development of a comprehensive I&T ecological chain encompassing the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors in Hong Kong. The HKSTPC is responsible for managing and operating the Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, the InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, and the three InnoParks in Tai Po, Yuen Long and Tseung Kwan O, supporting around 1 700 enterprises, covering various technology areas including biomedical technology, electronics, green technology, information and communications technology, and material and precision engineering.
Cyberport, a company wholly-owned by the Government, has been in operation since 2004. As Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship, Cyberport comprises more than 2 200 enterprises including over 900 onsite companies and nine Hong Kong unicorns, covering areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, smart living, financial technology and blockchain. It endeavours to promote the development of the digital technology ecosystem in Hong Kong through a series of incubation programmes and support measures targeting the development needs of digital technology start-ups at different stages. Cyberport also supports R&D and application projects of different I&T institutes and companies through its digital and computing power facilities including the AI Supercomputing Centre.
As for the HKPC which was established in 1967, it is a statutory organisation dedicated to promoting the productivity excellence of Hong Kong’s enterprises through advanced technologies and innovative services. The HKPC has set out development priorities focusing on, among other areas, “Intelligent Manufacturing”, “New Industrialisation – Made in Hong Kong”, “Smart and Green Living” and “FutureSkills”, to serve small and medium enterprises and start-ups and promote commercialisation in the downstream.
Meanwhile, the R&D Centres under the ITC (including the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre and the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI)) have been taking forward industry-driven applied R&D work that suits market needs and transferring technologies to the industries through contract researches, licensing arrangements, etc, to commercialise their R&D outcomes.
To expedite Hong Kong’s progress of developing into an international I&T centre, the current-term Government announced the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint (Blueprint) in end-2022. The Blueprint provides a systematic strategic plan to promote the development of I&T in Hong Kong. Alongside consolidating our strengths in upstream basic R&D, the mid-to-downstream transformation and commercialisation of the R&D outcomes would also be strengthened, with a view to further enhancing our I&T ecosystem and accelerating the development of Hong Kong’s new real economy. In the past two years or so, following the development directions and strategies set out in the Blueprint, the current-term Government has been making meticulous preparation in policy formulation and resource allocation. Layout of Hong Kong’s I&T system’s structural framework has been set, which is crucial to pooling international I&T resources and talents. The objective is to promote the innovation and diversification of industries through I&T to achieve Hong Kong’s high-quality development.
On the basis of the two existing major I&T parks, the HKSAR Government is taking forward the construction of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park) with enhanced speed and efficiency. The Hong Kong Park is developed in two phases from west to east, and focuses on the development of frontier technological fields, such as life and health technology, AI and data science, as well as new technologies and advanced manufacturing. It mainly engages in R&D, pilot production and small-scale production. Batch 1 of Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park comprises eight buildings. The first three buildings are all about to complete and the Hong Kong Park will officially enter into its operational phase later this year. The Hong Kong-Shenzhen I&T Park Limited, vested with the responsibility to build the superstructure of, as well as to operate, maintain and manage the Hong Kong Park, is pressing ahead with the work on attracting tenants as well as the construction of the other five buildings. With the official opening of the Hong Kong Park this year, the “north, central, south” layout plan for the three major I&T parks in Hong Kong will essentially be realised. For the Hong Kong Park to the north of Hong Kong, which connects to Shenzhen in the north and the San Tin Technopole in the south, it will become a key hub for R&D as well as pilot production and transformation in Hong Kong in future. The Science Park in the central part of Hong Kong will continue to support the R&D of deep technology and nurture more local technology start-ups. As for Cyberport to the south of Hong Kong, it will continue to focus on promoting the development of the local digital technology and AI ecosystem, as well as incubating more relevant start-ups and talents.
Besides, taking into account the technological development and in line with the development strategies set out in the Blueprint, we will restructure the overall layout of Hong Kong’s public research institutes with a focus on frontier technological fields at the forefront of the country’s and Hong Kong’s development priorities, including life and health technology, AI and robotics and microelectronics technology. Apart from incorporating the Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre into the HKPC earlier and our plans to merge the ASTRI and the NAMI, we established the Hong Kong Microelectronics R&D Institute last year to provide targeted support for the R&D of third-generation semiconductor core technology. We are also pressing ahead at full steam to set up two third-generation semiconductor pilot lines (Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN)), striving to put them into operation next year to promote the transformation of R&D outcomes and industry development.
In addition, the HKSAR Government has already allocated $6 billion from the $10 billion earmarked for the promotion of life and health technology to launch the Subsidy Programme for the Setup of Life and Health Technology Research Institute(s) (the Subsidy Programme), thereby supporting local universities to set up life and health technology research institute(s). Institutions have been invited to submit proposals for the Subsidy Programme to foster cross university/institutional and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
Furthermore, the 2025-26 Budget announced that $1 billion has been set aside for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute (AIRDI), which will spearhead and support Hong Kong’s innovative R&D and industry applications of AI, facilitating upstream R&D, midstream and downstream transformation of R&D outcomes, and expanding application scenarios. The Digital Policy Office is formulating a detailed plan for the establishment of AIRDI, including drawing up its public mission, implementation strategy and work objectives.
We believe that, upon establishing the new I&T system with three major I&T parks and five key R&D institutes, it will create an important platform and more favourable conditions to attract international I&T resources and talents to Hong Kong, providing key support to Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T centre.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
With the approach of the Easter holidays, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (April 16) appealed to members of the public who intend to travel to stay alert to the situation of infectious diseases at their destinations and to prevent various infectious diseases, in particular measles, dengue fever (DF) and norovirus infection.
Measles
Recently, the number of measles cases in some overseas countries has been increasing. The outbreaks in North America (including the United States and Canada), Europe and neighbouring areas (including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines) are ongoing due to the relatively low vaccination rate. Furthermore, an increasing number of measles cases have also been recorded in Japan and Australia this year. Overseas cases mainly affected people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. This shows the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.
Vaccination is the safest and most effective preventive measure against measles. For those who plan to travel to measles-endemic areas, they should check their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received two doses of the measles vaccine or are not sure if they have received the measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination. Healthy people in general can enjoy long-term, even lifelong protection after receiving the measles vaccination as recommended. Two doses of the measles-containing vaccine can confer protection of up to 97 per cent.
The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If such symptoms appear after returning from measles-endemic areas, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under 1 year old, and should consult their doctors as soon as possible.
Dengue fever
During their travels, members of the public are urged to stay vigilant against mosquito-borne diseases, including DF, Japanese encephalitis, zika virus infection, and malaria, with DF being a particular concern, and to carry out stringent anti-mosquito measures. In 2024, the World Health Organization recorded over 14 million cases of DF, which was a record number of cases. Some popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, are also endemic areas for DF. ​ Members of the public should follow these anti-mosquito measures when travelling to areas affected by DF to reduce the chance of acquiring mosquito-borne diseases during travels and spreading the diseases to others through mosquitoes:
Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers;
Use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing. For details about the use of insect repellents and key points to be observed, please refer to Tips for using insect repellents;
When engaging in outdoor activities, avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skincare products, reapply insect repellents according to instructions, and apply insect repellents after sunscreen if both are used; and
Apply insect repellent for 14 days upon returning to Hong Kong from areas affected by DF.
Norovirus infection
Norovirus is more active in winter, and the virus can be transmitted through various means, such as eating contaminated food, contacting with the vomit or excreta of infected persons, and touching contaminated objects. It may lead to an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). With the current AGE activities in popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, being higher than during the same period last year, and with temperatures in some areas remaining low, members of the public are still at risk of infection during travels.
Norovirus is also a common cause of food poisoning and is often related to consumption of undercooked or raw shellfish. Therefore, the following points on food safety should be observed during travels:
Patronise reliable and licensed restaurants;
Avoid raw food or undercooked food, especially raw seafood or meat;
Be careful in choosing cold cuts, including sashimi, sushi and oysters in buffets;
When having hotpots or barbecuing, make sure the food is thoroughly cooked before eating;
Drink boiled water; and
Wash hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water before eating and after using the toilet.
Dr Tsui reminded returned travellers to consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms such as fever, respiratory symptoms, rash or gastroenteritis symptoms, and to inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
“The CHP will continue to monitor the situation of infectious diseases locally and abroad and provide timely updates to members of the public to keep them informed about the development of infectious diseases and help them prepare for precautionary measures,” Dr Tsui said.
The public may visit the DH’s Travel Health Service webpage for the latest information on infectious disease outbreaks in various parts of the world and the preventive measures.
The cumulative value of merchandise exports during FY 2024-25 (April-March) was US$ 437.42 Billion, registering a positive growth of 0.08%, as compared to US$ 437.07 Billion during FY 2023-24 (April-March).
The cumulative Non-Petroleum exports in FY 2024-25 (April-March) valued at US$ 374.08 Billion registered an increase of 6.0% as compared to US$ 352.92 Billion in FY 2023-24
Major drivers of merchandise exports growth in FY 2024-25 (April-March) include Coffee, Tobacco, Electronic Goods, Rice, Jute Mfg. including Floor Covering, Meat, dairy & poultry products, Tea, Carpet, Plastic & Linoleum, RMG of all Textiles, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Cereal preparations & miscellaneous processed items, Mica, Coal & Other Ores, Minerals including processed minerals, Engineering Goods and Fruits & Vegetables.
Coffee exports increased by 40.37% from US$ 1.29 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 1.81 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Tobacco exports increased by 36.53% from US$ 1.45 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 1.98 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Electronic Goods exports increased by 32.47% from US$ 29.12 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 38.58 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Rice exports increased by 19.73% from US$ 10.42 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 12.47 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Jute Mfg. including Floor Covering exports increased by 13.35% from US$ 0.34 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 0.38 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Meat, dairy & poultry products exports increased by 12.57% from US$ 4.53 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 5.1 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Tea exports increased by 11.84% from US$ 0.83 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 0.92 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Carpet exports increased by 10.46% from US$ 1.4 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 1.54 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Plastic & Linoleum exports increased by 10.23% from US$ 8.09 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 8.92 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
RMG of all Textiles exports increased by 10.03% from US$ 14.53 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 15.99 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Drugs & Pharmaceuticals exports increased by 9.39% from US$ 27.85 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 30.47 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Cereal preparations & miscellaneous processed items exports increased by 8.71% from US$ 2.85 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 3.1 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Mica, Coal & Other Ores, Minerals including processed minerals exports increased by 6.95% from US$ 4.68 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 5.01 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Engineering Goods exports increased by 6.74% from US$ 109.3 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 116.67 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
Fruits & Vegetables exports increased by 5.67% from US$ 3.66 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March) to US$ 3.87 Billion in FY 2024-25 (April-March).
India’s total exports (Merchandise and Services combined) for March 2025* is estimated at US$ 73.61 Billion, registering a positive growth of 2.65 percent vis-à-vis March 2024. Total imports (Merchandise and Services combined) for March 2025* is estimated at US$ 77.23 Billion, registering a positive growth of 4.90 percent vis-à-vis March 2024.
Table 1: Trade during March 2025*
March 2025
(US$ Billion)
March 2024
(US$ Billion)
Merchandise
Exports
41.97
41.69
Imports
63.51
57.03
Services*
Exports
31.64
30.01
Imports
13.73
16.60
Total Trade
(Merchandise +Services) *
Exports
73.61
71.71
Imports
77.23
73.63
Trade Balance
-3.63
-1.92
* Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for February 2025. The data for March 2025 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release. (ii) Data for FY 2023-24 (April-March) and April-December 2024 has been revised on pro-rata basis using quarterly balance of payments data.
Fig 1: Total Trade during March 2025*
India’s total exports during FY 2024-25 (April-March)* is estimated at US$ 820.93 Billion registering a positive growth of 5.50 percent. Total imports during FY 2024-25 (April-March)* is estimated at US$ 915.19 Billion registering a growth of 6.85 percent.
Table 2: Trade during FY 2024-25 (April-March)*
FY 2024-25
(US$ Billion)
FY 2023-24
(US$ Billion)
Merchandise
Exports
437.42
437.07
Imports
720.24
678.21
Services*
Exports
383.51
341.06
Imports
194.95
178.31
Total Trade
(Merchandise +Services) *
Exports
820.93
778.13
Imports
915.19
856.52
Trade Balance
-94.26
-78.39
Fig 2: Total Trade during FY 2024-25 (April-March)*
MERCHANDISE TRADE
Merchandise exports during March 2025 were US$ 41.97 Billion as compared to US$ 41.69 Billion in March 2024.
Merchandise imports during March 2025 were US$ 63.51 Billion as compared to US$ 57.03 Billion in March 2024.
Fig 3: Merchandise Trade during March 2025
Merchandise exports during FY 2024-25 (April-March) were US$ 437.42 Billion as compared to US$ 437.07 Billion during FY 2023-24 (April-March).
Merchandise imports during FY 2024-25 (April-March) were US$ 720.24 Billion as compared to US$ 678.21 Billion during FY 2023-24 (April-March).
Merchandise trade deficit during FY 2024-25 (April-March) was US$ 282.83 Billion as compared to US$ 241.14 Billion during FY 2023-24 (April-March).
Fig 4: Merchandise Trade during FY 2024-25 (April-March)
Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in March 2025 were US$ 34.17 Billion compared to US$ 33.66 Billion in March 2024.
Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in March 2025 were US$ 37.76 Billion compared to US$ 35.85 Billion in March 2024.
Table 3: Trade excluding Petroleum and Gems & Jewellery during March 2025
Fig 5: Trade excluding Petroleum and Gems & Jewellery during March 2025
Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in FY 2024-25 (April-March) were US$ 344.26 Billion, compared to US$ 320.21 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March).
Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports in FY 2024-25 (April-March) were US$ 453.62 Billion, compared to US$ 424.67 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March).
Table 4: Trade excluding Petroleum and Gems & Jewellery during FY 2024-25 (April-March)
Fig 6: Trade excluding Petroleum and Gems & Jewellery during FY 2024-25 (April-March)
SERVICES TRADE
The estimated value of services export for March 2025* is US$ 31.64 Billion as compared to US$ 30.01 Billion in March 2024.
The estimated value of services imports for March 2025* is US$ 13.73 Billion as compared to US$ 16.60 Billion in March 2024.
Fig 7: Services Trade during March 2025*
The estimated value of service exports during FY 2024-25 (April-March)* is US$ 383.51 Billion as compared to US$ 341.06 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March).
The estimated value of service imports during FY 2024-25 (April-March)* is US$ 194.95 Billion as compared to US$ 178.31 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March).
The services trade surplus for FY 2024-25 (April-March)* is US$ 188.57 Billion as compared to US$ 162.75 Billion in FY 2023-24 (April-March).
Fig 8: Services Trade during FY 2024-25 (April-March)*
Exports of Coffee (39.2%), Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (31.21%), Electronic Goods (29.57%), Marine Products (28.56%), Jute Mfg. Including Floor Covering (21.67%), Meat, Dairy & Poultry Products (16.62%), Tobacco (13.95%), Tea (11.25%), Gems & Jewellery (10.62%), Fruits & Vegetables (8.57%), Rice (7.62%), Carpet (6.52%), Mica, Coal & Other Ores, Minerals Including Processed Minerals (6.35%), Rmg Of All Textiles (3.97%), Leather & Leather Products (3.48%), Cereal Preparations & Miscellaneous Processed Items (3.35%), Cotton Yarn/Fabs./Made-Ups, Handloom Products Etc. (2.16%), and Plastic & Linoleum (1.56%) record positive growth during March 2025 over the corresponding month of last year.
Exports of Tea (11.84%), Coffee (40.37%), Rice (19.73%), Tobacco (36.53%), Spices (4.78%), Fruits & vegetables (5.67%), Cereal preparations & miscellaneous processed items (8.71%), Marine products (0.45%), Meat, dairy & poultry products (12.57%), Mica, coal & other ores, minerals including processed minerals (6.95%), Leather and leather products (2.06%), Drugs and pharmaceuticals (9.39%), engineering goods (6.74%), Electronics goods (32.47%), Cotton yarn/fabs/makeups etc (3.19%), Man-made/ yarn/Fabs/made ups etc (4.07%), RMG of Textiles (10.03%), Jute Mfg. including Floor Covering (13.35%), Carpet (10.46%), and Plastic & Linoleum (10.23%) registered positive growth during FY 2024-25 over the previous FY 2023-24.
Imports of Project Goods (-87.25%), Silver (-85.39%), Coal, Coke & Briquettes, Etc. (-30.18%), Transport Equipment (-25.53%), Pulses (-23.45%), Newsprint (-17.99%), Pearls, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones (-13.77%) and Pulp and Waste Paper (-11.8%) record negative growth during March 2025 over the corresponding month of last year.
Imports of Fertilisers, Crude & Manufactured (-2.21%), Coal, coke & briquettes (20.03%), Dyeing/tanning/colouring materials (-13.42%), Newsprint (-2.71%), Pearls, precious & semi-precious stones (-24.41%), Iron & Steel (-4.61%), Project goods (-18.45%), and Silver (-11.24%) registered negative growth during FY 2024-25 over the previous year FY 2023-24.
Services exports is estimated to grow by 12.45 percent during FY 2024-25 (April-March)* over FY 2023-24 (April-March).
Top 5 export destinations, in terms of change in value, exhibiting positive growth in March 2025 vis a vis March 2024 are U S A (35.06%), Australia (70.81%), Kenya (98.46%), Togo (46.52%) and U K (8.43%).
Top 5 export destinations, in terms of change in value, exhibiting positive growth in FY 2024-25 (April-March) vis a vis FY 2023-24 (April-March) are U S A (11.59%), U K (12.08%), Japan (21.12%), U Arab Emts (2.84%) and France (11.42%).
Top 5 import sources, in terms of change in value, exhibiting growth in March 2025 vis a vis March 2024 are U Arab Emts (57.25%), China P Rp (25.02%), Saudi Arab (44.03%), Kuwait (93.8%) and Ireland (208.09%).
Top 5 import sources, in terms of change in value, exhibiting growth in FY 2024-25 (April-March) vis a vis FY 2023-24 (April-March) are U Arab Emts (32.06%), China P Rp (11.52%), Thailand (43.99%), U S A (7.44%) and Russia (4.39%).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (April 16) announced the completion of a direct investigation operation into the Government’s regulation of occupational safety and health (OSH) in the construction industry, with 40 major recommendations for improvement made to the Labour Department (LD), the Buildings Department (BD) and the Development Bureau (DEVB).
In recent years, from large-scale public works, housing development and building repairs to small-scale flat renovation works, fatal industrial accidents in the construction industry have occurred frequently. The situation has attracted widespread public concern. During the six-year period from 2018 to 2023, the construction industry recorded a total of 108 fatal industrial accidents, accounting for more than 80 per cent of fatal industrial accidents in all industries.
Mr Chan said, “This direct investigation operation is by far our largest and most comprehensive direct investigation operation in many years. During the investigation, investigation staff of the Office has scrutinised over 90 000 pages of documents, including about 70 individual cases in 40 boxes, and conducted multiple in-depth site visits of different types to examine the issue thoroughly and from different perspectives.
“The construction industry undoubtedly makes significant contributions to the economic development of society and people’s living environment. All lives are priceless. Indeed, one life lost to an industrial accident is one too many. The problem must be dealt with seriously and vigorously. During our direct investigation operation, the current-term Government has proactively introduced an array of targeted improvement measures to enhance OSH in the construction industry, which include amending the relevant OSH legislation to significantly increase the level of penalties to provide greater deterrent; revising various codes of practice to enhance technical requirements; conducting a number of special enforcement operations to curb unsafe operations; updating the content of mandatory safety training courses to raise workers’ safety awareness; improving the mechanism for processing renewal of contractors’ registration; formulating proposed amendments to the Buildings Ordinance to tighten the regulation of contractors; strengthening the regulation of contractors on the approved lists with unsatisfactory safety performance; and making great efforts to promote the application of the Smart Site Safety System. While the current-term Government’s endeavours are highly commendable, heart-wrenching fatal industrial accidents still happen from time to time. The Government must continue to step up its efforts to safeguard the safety of workers at every step of work. Based on our findings, the Office considers that there is still room for improvement in different areas on the part of the three relevant departments.”
From the analysis of previous fatal accidents, complaints handled by the LD and site visits conducted by the Office, the Office found that in a number of cases concerning high-risk operations such as bamboo scaffolds, lifting appliances and lifting operations, the “competent persons” and “competent examiners” (collectively referred to as “competent persons”) had failed to properly inspect the plant or machinery before signing a prescribed form to certify its safety, or even signed multiple forms in advance. For example, a “competent person” has to sign a “Form 5” to certify that a bamboo scaffold is safe before it can be used by workers. In a site inspection, the Office found that a “competent person” had signed a “Form 5” certifying that a scaffold had been inspected and was in safe working order, but the inspection date mentioned in the form was two days after the date of the Office’s inspection. The Office even found a case where a “competent person” had already signed a form to certify the safety of a scaffold before the scaffold was actually completed.
Moreover, in its investigation into a fatal industrial accident concerning a lifting appliance, the LD found that two registered professional engineers acting in the capacity of “competent examiners” signed a few prescribed forms on different dates, one of which was after a storm, certifying that the lifting appliance was in safe working condition, but they actually had not carried out the required tests and examination.
Mr Chan said, “These ‘competent persons’ failed to carry out inspections properly or even did not carry out any inspections at all, yet irresponsibly signed forms to certify the safety of equipment. Such reckless acts pose a serious risk to the safety of workers and the public. These persons failed to uphold their obligations and meet public expectations, and they must face legal consequences and criticisms from all.” The Office considers that the LD must step up monitoring under a multipronged approach, including exploring the formulation of inspection checklist templates for different types of high-risk operations, requiring “competent persons” to maintain inspection records, and implementing a system of random checks. In the long run, the LD should explore the development of an electronic platform for contractors and “competent persons” to upload inspection records and forms to facilitate monitoring and surprise checking to curb unprofessional or even fraudulent criminal conduct, such as predating inspection forms.
The average amounts of penalty imposed on offenders of OSH legislation in the construction industry between 2018 and 2023 ranged from merely some $8,000 to some $10,500 per year. Comparing to the enormous fees and profits of construction projects, such penalty levels are obviously inadequate to have a deterrent effect. Among those offenders, the two contractors with the highest and the second-highest numbers of convictions during the six years had been convicted 77 and 56 times respectively. This shows that some disobedient contractors in the construction industry are repeat offenders, and their blatant defiance of the law and disregard for OSH are indeed staggering. The Office is pleased to learn that the current-term Government has completed amendments to the relevant OSH legislation, and the Occupational Safety and Occupational Health Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2023, which took effect on April 28, 2023, has significantly increased the penalties for contravention of OSH legislation and extended the time limit for prosecution. Since the new penalties have been in effect for only a short time, the LD should, after the new penalties have been in force for a period, conduct a systemic analysis to review the effectiveness of its prosecution work and the penalties imposed by the Court in convicted cases.
The Office’s investigation also revealed that the BD had long failed to handle cases referred by the LD for determining whether disciplinary action should be taken against contractors convicted of OSH offences. During the decade from 2011 to 2021, the BD has taken disciplinary action against only one contractor on one occasion. The Office has thoroughly examined the reason for the BD’s omission throughout the years. Under the disciplinary system, the BD may take disciplinary action against a contractor when either one of the following two criteria is met: the contractor has been convicted of five or more site safety offences relating to building works in the same construction site in six consecutive months (“Criterion 1”); or the contractor has been convicted of site safety offences relating to building works which involved fatal accidents (“Criterion 2”). The Office found that, in the past decade or so, the BD, upon receiving the monthly summary list of conviction records from the LD, only focused on handling contractors meeting Criterion 1 for consideration of disciplinary action. As regards contractors meeting Criterion 2, the BD admitted omission of follow-up action due to a mistaken belief that, in addition to a monthly summary list of conviction records, the LD would proactively provide details of individual cases for its consideration of disciplinary action.
Furthermore, in the only disciplinary case mentioned above, it took more than six years from the occurrence of the fatal accident in 2009 to the BD’s completion of disciplinary action against the contractor in 2015. The Office has examined the sequence of events of this case and found delays in different time points. For example, it took the BD a year after receiving the LD’s referral to complete analysis and seek detailed case information from the LD. And, after receiving information from the LD, the BD sought legal advice only a year later. This reflects the cumbersome and inefficient procedures for disciplinary action. The Office is glad to see that in response to its observations, the BD has implemented time indicators for handling cases of disciplinary action before the Office’s completion of this report and is striving to process previously omitted cases.
Meanwhile, relevant data shows that site safety has obviously been better maintained in public works than in the construction industry as a whole. While this is not due to luck but to effective regulation by relevant government departments, the Office considers that there is still room for improvement. The Office has selected 12 public works projects involving fatal industrial accidents between 2020 and 2023 and examined the scores that the contractors concerned (i.e. the successful tenderers) received regarding their site safety performance in the tender evaluation. The Office found in many contracts that the successful tenderer was given a rather low score regarding site safety performance, and some were even given the lowest score among all the tenderers. Yet, these successful tenderers still managed to win the bid because of their higher scores in tender price or other technical parts. Although the Office found no systemic occurrence of “the lowest bid wins” situation in the tender evaluation of public works, the case studies showed that adequate consideration had not been given to tenderers’ previous performance of site safety. This is because items relating to site safety did not weigh much, and the score gaps between tenderers were narrow, resulting in only an insignificant impact on the overall outcome.
Mr Chan said, “The Office is glad to learn that, during this direct investigation operation, the DEVB introduced in November 2023 a new tender evaluation system whereby a merit or demerit point would be applied having regard to the tenderer’s previous performance of site safety. The DEVB should continue to review the tender evaluation system for public works in a timely manner to ensure that only contractors whose performance meets the safety standards are awarded contracts.”
Another noteworthy point is that, during the six-year period from 2018 to 2023, there were 45 fatal accidents relating to renovation and repair works in total, accounting for a significant 42 per cent of all fatal accidents in the construction industry. Based on case studies and site inspections, the Office found serious inadequacies in safety measures for renovation and repair works and a lack of basic safety awareness among workers and even property management companies, property owners and residents. The Office recognises the sheer volume of renovation and repair works under way throughout the territory. The LD alone can hardly ensure the safety of this kind of small-scale works, and property management companies, owners’ corporations, property owners and residents should also take part in monitoring. In fact, property management companies, owners’ corporations, property owners and residents have clear legal responsibilities under OSH legislation and may face civil claims or even criminal liability in the event of accidents. The Office considers that the LD should step up publicity and education among these stakeholders, stressing in particular their legal liability in relation to renovation and repair works and the legal consequence (whether criminal or civil) and loss in case of accidents. This is to ensure that these stakeholders understand it is in their own interest to protect the safety of workers, and at the same time incentivise them to engage contractors and workers with a good safety record.
On the whole, the Office has made 40 recommendations for improvement in nine major areas, including the LD’s regulation of high-risk operations; the LD’s inspections; the LD’s enforcement and prosecution; the LD’s monitoring of registered safety auditors and registered safety officers; the BD’s regulation of registered contractors; the DEVB’s monitoring of public works and contractors; the use of innovation and technology; safety education and training; as well as publicity and promotion. The Office is pleased to learn that the LD, the BD and the DEVB have accepted all of its recommendations.
Mr Chan said, “To enhance OSH in the construction industry, the Government is duty bound to carry out effective regulation. However, stakeholders within or outside the industry, including contractors, workers, trade unions, various types of safety personnel, as well as owners’ corporations, property owners, residents and property management companies who are involved in renovation and repair works, all have a role to play. I hope all stakeholders will work together to safeguard site and worker safety, eradicate undesirable habits, and prevent accidents from happening for the benefit of society as a whole.”
The Office’s major recommendations for improvement to the LD are:
• explore formulating templates of inspection checklist for different types of high-risk operations and attach them to the relevant codes of practice for use by “competent persons” during inspections or examinations to tighten control;
• conduct a comprehensive review of the existing requirements for maintenance of inspection records by “competent persons” regarding different types of high-risk operations, specifying the inspection records to be maintained and the need to produce such records upon the instruction of the LD officers;
• in the long run, explore the development of an electronic platform for contractors and “competent persons” to upload inspection records and forms to facilitate monitoring and random checking to curb unprofessional or even fraudulent conduct, such as predating inspection forms;
• review the operational guidelines on the conduct of in-depth surprise inspections for more precise selection of high-risk construction sites and proper follow-up on sites inspected to ensure systemic improvement of site safety;
• continue to pursue legislative amendment work to enhance the statutory notification mechanism for construction works;
• after the new penalties for OSH offences have been in force for a period of time, conduct a systemic analysis to review its prosecution work and the penalties imposed by the Court in convicted cases;
• take more proactive steps to follow up on the performance of registered safety auditors and registered safety officers on the monitoring list by, for example, making close observations of their actual performance on the site and careful examination of the reports they submit to enhance the quality of their work;
• drawing on the painful lessons from previous fatal accidents, remind site personnel including registered safety officers and registered safety auditors of the issues to which they should pay attention during their routine inspections or safety audit to strengthen their ability to detect irregularities in site operations and enhance the quality of their work;
• step up the monitoring of course providers and trainers engaging in mandatory safety training courses and carry out surprise checks in a timely manner to ensure their quality. In case of irregularities, the Department should be decisive in taking regulatory action;
• consider co-ordinating efforts of relevant departments and organisations to set up a thematic website on OSH in the construction industry to provide a convenient platform for various stakeholders and the public to look for information they need;
• step up publicity and education among property owners, owners’ corporations, property management companies and residents through mass media and the platform of property management companies, stressing in particular their legal liability in relation to renovation and repair works and the legal consequence and loss in case of accidents; and
• enrich the content of the publications and information on analysis of accidents, adding the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders and how they can avoid accidents.
The Office’s major recommendations for improvement to the BD are:
• speed up processing of previously omitted cases and promptly refer those warranting disciplinary action to the Registered Contractors’ Disciplinary Board to bring non-compliant contractors to account; and
• set up a mechanism for internal monitoring to ensure timely follow-up on all referrals from the LD for consideration of disciplinary action against convicted contractors.
The Office’s major recommendations for improvement to the DEVB are:
• continue to review the tender evaluation system for public works in a timely manner to ensure that only contractors whose performance meets the safety standards are awarded contracts;
• continue to review the regulating requirement regarding contravention of legislation related to site safety for more effective prevention of accidents;
• after various promotional measures have been implemented for a period of time, review the adoption of the Smart Site Safety System and, with reference to the feedback from the industry, step up efforts to encourage and support wider use of the system in private development sites to enhance site safety by means of technology; and
• share with the Construction Industry Council the experience of safety training in public works for its consideration of offering subsidies as incentive, with a view to extending such safety training to private works projects to enhance site safety.
The full investigation report is available on the website of the Office of The Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.hk for public information.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hongkong Post suspends the postal service for items containing goods to the United States Regarding the surface mail, due to the longer shipping time, Hongkong Post will suspend the acceptance of surface postal items containing goods destined to the US with immediate effect (April 16). Where senders have posted surface postal items containing goods that have not yet been shipped to the US, Hongkong Post will contact the senders to arrange for return of items and postage refund starting from April 22.
Regarding the air mail, Hongkong Post will suspend the acceptance of air postal items containing goods destined to the US starting from April 27.
For sending items to the US, the public in Hong Kong should be prepared to pay exorbitant and unreasonable fees due to the US’s unreasonable and bullying acts. Other postal items containing documents only without goods will not be affected.
For enquiries, members of the public may call the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline at 2921 2222. Issued at HKT 8:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Edmund Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
Question:
Under the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112), an individual who is either ordinarily resident in Hong Kong or a temporary resident may elect for personal assessment on the individual’s income, thereby becoming eligible for the basic personal allowance and other related tax concessions (personal tax concessions). However, there are views that such tax policy has rendered certain elderly people who have moved to reside in the Mainland for retirement and rely solely on rental income from letting properties in Hong Kong for their livelihood not being eligible for personal tax concessions. This, to a certain extent, deviates from the Government’s policy direction of encouraging elderly people to retire in the Mainland. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether, in the past three years, the Inland Revenue Department has received enquiries or requests for assistance from retired elderly people who have moved to reside in the Mainland and rely solely on rental income from letting properties in Hong Kong for their livelihood due to their ineligibility for personal tax concessions; if so, of the number of such cases, as well as the highest and average amounts of tax involved in such cases;
(2) whether the authorities will consider introducing property tax relief measures for elderly people who have no income other than rental income from letting properties in Hong Kong and have moved to reside in the Mainland; and
(3) whether the authorities will comprehensively review the tax and cash welfare policies for the elderly and, on the premise of preventing abuse, allow those elderly people who choose to retire in the Mainland to enjoy essentially the same tax and cash welfare policies as those retiring in Hong Kong, so as to prevent tax policies from deviating from the policy direction of encouraging elderly people to retire in the Mainland, and to help promote retirement in the Mainland among elderly people; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Hong Kong has all along adopted a territorial source principle in the collection of profits tax, salaries tax, and property tax. At the same time, the Inland Revenue Ordinance provides for several allowances, deduction items and reliefs. Different eligibility criteria have been established for them, including territorial restriction for taxpayers, to meet their policy intents and to address the risk of abuse during implementation.
Personal assessment is a tax relief arrangement under the Inland Revenue Ordinance. It allows proprietors or partners who operate a business to earn profits, as well as property owners who rent out properties to earn rental income to claim the deductions under salaries tax and calculate their tax amount at the progressive rates of salaries tax, thereby reducing their tax liability. One of the conditions for electing personal assessment is that the individual must be either “ordinarily resident in Hong Kong” or a “temporary resident”. If an individual is “ordinarily resident in Hong Kong”, it means that he/she resides in Hong Kong voluntarily and for a settled purpose (such as for education, business, employment or family etc.) with sufficient degree of continuity. A “temporary resident” means an individual who stays in Hong Kong for a period or a number of periods amounting to more than 180 days during the year of assessment for which the election is made, or for a period or periods amounting to more than 300 days in two consecutive years of assessment, one of which is the year of assessment for which the election is made.
Having consulted the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the replies to the questions raised by the Hon Edmund Wong are as follows:
(1) The Inland Revenue Department handles a large number of inquiries from taxpayers regarding tax assessments, deductions, allowances, etc. through various channels such as telephone, email, mail, and counter services every year. They do not keep records by the types of inquiries.
(2) and (3) The inclusion of the condition of being “ordinarily resident in Hong Kong” or a “temporary resident” under personal assessment is in line with Hong Kong’s territorial source principle of taxation. If such condition is relaxed to cover elderly persons who have relocated to the Mainland and have no income other than the rental income from Hong Kong properties, it would be difficult for the Inland Revenue Department to verify the information on their residence and income in the Mainland, and thus to ascertain their eligibility. It could easily lead to abuse of the relief measure. For the same reason, the Government has no plan to introduce property tax relief for these elderly persons.
The Government has put in place portable arrangements for all cash assistance schemes targeting Hong Kong elderly persons. The arrangements facilitate Hong Kong elderly persons’ retirement in Guangdong and Fujian Provinces. The relevant arrangements cover the Old Age Allowance for Hong Kong elderly persons aged 70 or above; the Old Age Living Allowance for Hong Kong elderly persons aged 65 or above in need of financial assistance; and the Portable Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme which provides cash assistance to Hong Kong elderly persons who cannot support themselves financially.
To recognize professionals delivering excellence in National Highway development, the sixth edition of ‘National Highways Excellence Awards 2023’ (NHEA 2023) were held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari along with Shri Harsh Malhotra, Hon’ble Minister of State and Dr V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog; senior officials from MoRTH, NHAI and other stakeholders were present on the occasion.
NHEA 2023 commemorated various officials and concessionaire/contractors for their innovation and exceptional performance. Out of total 125 nominations, 22 entries were shortlisted by the jury through multiple assessment rounds and five awards for outstanding projects were awarded in different categories. In the ‘Excellence in Project Management (PPP) category, the winner H.G. Infra Engineering Ltd was conferred with the Silver Award for the project Ateli Mandi to Narnaul section of NH-11 & Narnaul Bypass as an economic corridor in Haryana. Under the ‘Excellence in Project Management (EPC)’ category, Bhartia Infra Projects was awarded the Silver Award for Hakanjuri to Khonsa section of NH-315A in Arunachal Pradesh. The ‘Excellence in Operation & Maintenance (Flexible)’ category had Nanguneri Kanyakumari Tollway Pvt Ltd being bestowed with the Gold Award for Madurai to Kanyakumari of NH-7 Package 4 in Tamil Nadu. In the Green Highways category, Ashoka Buildcon Ltd won the Gold award for Kandi to Ramsanpalle section of NH-161 in Telangana and Deccan Tollways Ltd won the Silver Award for Maharashtra-Karnataka border to Sangareddy section of NH-65 in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The Best Engineer Award was conferred to Shri Navratan, DGM & PD, NHAI, Shri Devender Kumar, GM, NHIDCL and Shri Subhash Chandra, RO Itanagar, MoRTH. Special recognition was given to Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) for its unwavering commitment to quality, transparency and social responsibility.
During the day long event, winners of the पथ चिंतन Hackathon were also felicitated for their innovative ideas and tech-driven solutions that will contribute in transforming India’s National Highway infrastructure.
Encouraging adoption of innovative practices in National Highway development, Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in his keynote address said, “Our goal is to raise the bar for quality, ownership & decision-making in road construction. With collective responsibility, we can create global benchmarks & achieve higher daily construction targets.”
Addressing the audience, Hon’ble Minister of State for MoRTH & Corporate Affairs, Shri Harsh Malhotra said “Our highways are just not concrete roads, they are the roads of progress for our country. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is going to play a very important role in the vision of Viksit Bharat in 2047.”
In his address Shri V. Umashankar, Secretary, MoRTH said “As we advance rapidly in National Highway development, we are equally prioritizing quality construction. The quality of highways we give right now is the legacy we will be leaving behind for the next generation. Highway construction is not just a technical endeavor, but a collective effort of vision, innovation, and pride. Our goal is to set new benchmarks in engineering excellence and embracing new technologies for highway development, that will contribute towards our shared commitment towards nation-building.”
In his address NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration between different stakeholders to achieve excellence in National highway development. He also underlined the collective impact of regular capacity-building of all stakeholders to create a world class National Highway network.
Focused panel discussions with senior officials, academicians from various IITs, representatives of research institutes and industry experts were also held on various aspects of highway development which included deliberations on ‘New technologies in Highway Construction and Use of Technology in Quality Control’, ‘Highway Development in Hilly Areas’, ‘Rating of DPR Consultants/AEs and Road Construction Agencies’ and ‘Emergence of Indian Construction Companies as Global Players’.
Institutionalized in 2018, National Highway Excellence Awards aims to incentivize and encourage key stakeholders and to create a spirit of healthy competition amongst all the stakeholders involved in the development of National Highway infrastructure in the country.
Union Minister of Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, met with the Chief General Managers (CGMs) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) circles today at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi, along with CMD BSNL and the board of directors of BSNL, as part of a comprehensive review and strategic alignment of BSNL’s ongoing transformation journey. Secretary Telecom and other senior officers of DoT also graced the occasion.
The meeting involved wide-ranging discussions focused on growth strategy, improvement in network performance, customer service delivery, and organizational modernization. It also reinforced BSNL’s positioning as a consumer-centric telecom service provider with a clear mandate of “Revenue First” targets across all business units.
As a government-owned CPSE, BSNL is undergoing a major service transformation and has declared April 2025 as “Customer Service Month” across all circles, business areas, and units. This initiative reflects BSNL’s renewed focus on “Customer First” culture, emphasizing proactive customer engagement, service responsiveness, and grievance redressal.
During the two-day CGM meet, Circle Heads are being briefed and aligned on re-engaging customers across rural, urban, enterprise, and retail segments. Special focus areas included:
Reconnecting with customers across rural, urban, enterprise, and retail segments
Enhancing Quality of Service (QoS) in mobile networks and FTTH
Addressing customer grievances in billing, provisioning, and uptime
Driving accountability and revenue-first targets at every operational level
Enterprise connectivity, VPN solutions, leased line services, other new business areas.
The Hon’ble Minister appreciated BSNL’s efforts and stressed the importance of measurable outcomes in customer experience and revenue generation.
BSNL has recently launched several new initiatives to enhance service offerings and customer value:
4G expansion and rollout in multiple circles
Introduction of IFTV and BiTV platforms for next-gen infotainment
BSNL National Wi-Fi Roaming
Tailored BSNL VPN and bundled packages for enterprise and government users
CNPN Projects for High-reliability connectivity for mission-critical national infrastructure.
Spam! Free Network for the First of its kind–BSNL’s solution for eliminating scam and spam communications in real-time
Direct-to-Device Service.
With a focus on execution, BSNL is driving a renewed push towards becoming a digitally empowered, service-oriented, and financially sustainable telecom operator, committed to connecting and empowering Bharat.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Applications invited for flag days in 2026-27 The completed application form together with the required documents should reach the department at the above address by 6pm on May 15. Late applications will not be considered.Issued at HKT 10:00
KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Prime Minister Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa [Thursday 3rd April 2025]
Reverend Puletua Tapumanaia,
Members of Cabinet,
Representatives of our Development Partners,
Chairpersons and members of Executive Boards of Government Public Bodies, and of Agriculture in Samoa,
Heads of Government Agencies, Private Sector and Exporters, Partners of the Samoa Export Authority,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am pleased to be here to witness the official Opening of the Office of the Samoa Export Authority and to celebrate the launch of its Corporate Plan for the first 5 years of its establishment, from the Financial Year 2025/2026 to 2029/2030.
The establishment of the Samoa Export Authority has been long in the making. An interim Board was established in February 2024 to guide the establishment phase, including consultations across the country and with communities and all stakeholders in developing the policies that underpin the establishment of the Authority and a legislation to legislate and govern its operations.
The Samoa Export Authority Bill 2024 was tabled and passed in Parliament during its sitting in August 2024, and the SEA Act 2024 came into force on 22nd August 2024 when it was signed by the Head of State. The SEA Act 2024, established the Samoa Export Authority as a Body Corporate under the Public Bodies (Performance and Accountability) Act 2001.
As well as opening the new Office, we are also this morning, launching the Corporate Plan for the Authority for the period of 2025/2026 Financial Year to the 2029/2030 Financial Year. The 5-year duration of the Corporate Plan was agreed upon by the SEA Interim Board, to align with a Cabinet decision for the Authority to be established as a Public Beneficial Body in its first 5 years, after which a review should be carried out to consider it becoming a Public Trading Body. Thus the Corporate Plan we are launching today, was developed with a view towards this review mandated by Cabinet to be carried out in August 2029, 5 years after the SEA Act 2024 came into force.
But why the need for an Export Authority? Right now, Samoa spends around $1 billion tala on imported goods. Only around 10% of that amount is earned from goods we export. It is a trade imbalance that is strangling our development and a situation we urgently need to address.
The SEA Act 2024 and the SEA Corporate Plan we are launching this morning, lays out the objectives and functions of the Authority, to address the trade imbalance mentioned-above, through effectively promoting exports or export products from Samoa.
The Objectives of the Authority are:
1. To address policy and legislative requirements to enable exports development and market access;
2. To boost exports through supporting production and productivity, development of export products, and access to export services along value-chains, in partnerships with producers, manufacturers and business operators; and,
3. To establish export markets, and strengthen capacity in standards for market access.
In performing its functions, the Authority will liaise and cooperate with other relevant organizations of the Government, such as MCIL, MFAT, MAF and SROS; private sector and civil society, to ensure that strategic planning and arrangements are in place to deal with exports from Samoa.
In addition, the Authority is to:
a) facilitate and coordinate export development;
b) facilitate and coordinate an enabling environment for the revival and growth of the export sector;
c) find new markets for Samoa’s export sector;
d) promote and facilitate compliance with market requirements; and,
e) facilitate and coordinate the availability of needed capacity building for exporters and other parties of the export value chain.
Before I conclude, I would like to acknowledge the great work by the SEA Interim Board, and the support of MPE as its Secretariat, during the establishment phase of the Authority. The leadership of the Interim Board allowed for a wide consultations process in the development of a SEA legislation, and your guidance facilitated the smooth passing of the SEA legislation through Parliament. It was an achievement to be applauded, when the SEA Act 2024 came into force on 22nd August 2024. Working closely with the new CEO, you also managed to develop a Corporate Plan to guide the work of the Authority in its first 5 years of existence. The SEA Interim Board, ladies and gentlemen comprised of:
Afioga Tagaloa Eddie Wilson, the Chairperson;
Afioga Fa’amausili Dr Matagialofi Lua’iufi;
Afioga Tuisa Tasi Patea;
And two ex-officios: Afioga Saoleititi Maeva Betham-Vaai, and Pouli Dr Keneti Faulalo.
I believe the achievements of the SEA Interim Board has set a solid foundation upon which the new SEA Board, established under the provisions of the SEA Act 2024, will guide the work of the Authority moving forward.
On that note, it is with pleasure that I welcome the members of the new SEA Board that has been approved by Cabinet:
Afioga Tuia’opo Andrew Aliki, Chairman;
Afioga Tuimaseve Kuinimeri Asora-Finau;
Afioga Peseta Peter Tone;
Afioga Tagaloa Eddide Wilson; and,
Afioga Vaai Kolone Vaai.
We wish you all the best in guiding the journey of the Authority. I am confident that with strong leadership and strategic guidance, and with the commitment and drive of the SEA staff, the Authority will be effective in meeting its objectives in leading, facilitating and coordinating export development and export of products from Samoa.
I am now pleased to announce the official opening of the new Samoa Export Authority, as well as the official launch of their Corporate Plan for the first 5 years of its establishment.
May God bless the Authority in its journey and May God Bless Samoa.
Soifua ma ia Manuia!
TATALA ALOAIA LE OFISA FOU O LE PULEGA O OLOA AUINA ATU I FAFO A SAMOA MA LANA FUAFUAGA AUTASI ALUALU MAMAO
SAUNOAGA AUTU a le Afioga i le Palemia, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa [Aso Tofi 3 Aperila 2025]
Susu lau Susuga i le Ta’ita’i o le Sauniga, lau Susuga Puletua Tapumanaia, Fa’afeagaiga o le Ekalesia EFKS, Penieli Fou, Falelauniu,
Afifio Minisita o le Kapeneta,
Sui o tatou Paaga tau Atina’e,
Afifio Ta’ita’ifono o Komiti Fa’atonu ma Sui o Komiti Fa’afoe o Fa’alapotopotoga a le Malo,
Afifio Sui o Komiti Faufautua o Fa’atoaga ma Faigafaiva,
Afifio Fa’auluuluga o Matagaluega ma Fa’alapotopotoga Tumaoti a le Malo,
Aufai Pisinisi Gaosi Oloa Auina atu i Fafo,
Sui o Paaga a le Pulega o Oloa Auina atu i Fafo a Samoa,
Le paia ma le mamalu o Samoa ua potopoto,
E talitonu o lea ua mapu i le tuasivi le faiva o manusina. Ua mae’a fo’i ona utu le uila o matagi auā le fa’amua ma le fa’asani i le Atua ma Lona agalelei. Ua utūialā le sasaga i le ūtugāvai a tausala, ma ua fa’atofolia i tatou i le malilie o sua o vai, auā manū fa’aifo mai le Tapa’au Silisili’ese i le Lagi.
Ou te manatu fo’i ua mae’a paelago pa’ia o Samoa ua potopoto e le Fofoga o le aso, o le a le toe o’o i ai se tala.
Ae e ia te a’u le mitamitaga tele i lenei taeao, ua tatou auai fa’atasi e molimauina le tatalaina aloa’ia o le Ofisa fou o le Pulega o Oloa Auina Atu i Fafo a Samoa. Ua le o po malaē i le tatou fa’atasiga, o le Pulega ua faitau tausaga ona fuafua ma fa’atalatalanoa, ma ua leva fo’i ona fai galuega mo lona tau fa’atūina, e aofia ai le faufauina o ana Faiga Fa’avae, ma sana Tulafono Autū.
Pei ona silafia, o le Tulafono o le Pulega o Oloa Auina Atu i Fafo a Samoa 2024, sa pasia lea e le Palemene i lana fonotaga i le masina o Aukuso 2024, ma sa sainia ai e lana Afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Malō, i le Aso 22 Aukuso, 2024. O lea Tulafono, ua fa’atuina ai le Pulega, o se Fa’alapotopotoga ua Tu’ufa’atasia Fa’aletulafono (Body Corporate).
E le gata i le tatala aloa’iaina o le Ofisa fou, ae o le taeao nei, o le a fa’apea fo’i ona tatou amana’iaina ai le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao a le Pulega (Corporate Plan) mo lona ulua’i 5 tausaga o lona fa’atūina, mai le tausaga fa’aletupe 2025/2026 se’ia o’o i le 2029/2030. O le avea o le 5 tausaga e fa’atulaga ai le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao, ina ia o gatasi ma le fa’avae fa’ata’oto a le Malō, mo le Pulega e avea ma Public Beneficial Body i le 5 tausaga muamua mai lona fa’atuina, ona toe iloilo lea pe agava’a ona liliu e avea ma Public Trading Body.
E pei ona lau silafia, o le fa’avae autū sa a’e ai le tofā mo le fa’atuina o le Pulega, o le tau fo’ia lea o le fa’afitauli tugā, i le ova mamao o le tele o oloa fa’aulufale mai i Samoa, pe a fa’atusatusa i oloa auina atu i fafo. I le taimi nei, e tusa ma le $1 piliona Tala tupe fa’aalu a Samoa i oloa fa’aulufale mai, ae na o le 10% o lea aofa’iga, e maua mai lea i ana oloa auina atu i fafo. O se tulaga lē paleni tele lea i fefa’atauaiga o oloa, ua fa’ama’ia ai le atina’e o le tatou atunu’u, ma o se tulaga e tatau ona vave fo’ia.
O le Tulafono o le Pulega o Oloa Auina Atu i Fafo a Samoa 2024, fa’apea le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao ua tatou patipatia i le taeao nei, o lo’o fa’ata’atitia, ma aiaia ai matafaioi tau’ave, fa’apea galuega poutū a le Pulega.
O sini ma galuega autū o le Pulega, e aofia ai le fesoasoani malosi i le fa’amaopo’opoina ma le fa’afaigofieina o le auina atu i fafo o a tatou oloa, e ala i faiga fa’apa’aga ma isi fa’alapotopotoga ‘ese’ese a le Malo ua tutusa malosi’aga, e pei o le Matagalujega o Pisinisi, Alamanuia ma Leipa (MCIL) ma le Matagaluega o le Va i Fafo ma Fefa’ataua’iga (MFAT), aemaise vaega tuma’oti e i ai le Au faifa’ato’aga ma au’aunaga e mafai ona auina atu i fafo. E aofia ai fo’i le fesoasoani malosi mo alamanuia mo le aufai fa’ato’aga lima vaivai ma alalafaga o lo o gāfātia i le galuea’ina o latou fanua ma ‘ele’ele fa’aleaganu’u, e ala lea i galuega fuafuaina a le Pulega.
O galuega tau’ave autu a le Pulega, e aofia ai le fa’ateleina o fua faifa’ato’aga e fuafua mo ‘oloa, pe o le gaosia o ‘oloa e ‘auina atu i fafo, e ala lea i le fesoasoani e sui faiga faifa’ato’aga, mai i le na o le gaosia mo taumafa fa’ale’āiga (subsistence), ae faifa’ato’aga e gaosia taumafa fa’apea le faifa’apisinisi (commercialization).
E le gata i lea, o galuega tau’ave autū a le Pulega, e aofia ai fo’i le fa’amaopo’opo ma fa’afeso’ota’iga o le ‘au faifa’ato’aga, le ‘au fa’atau’oloa, ma i latou uma o lo o faia au’aunaga mo le atina’eina o oloa auina atu i fafo, aemaise o le fa’amautinoaina o lo’o iai se si’osi’omaga talafeagai mo le auina atu i fafo o a tatou oloa. O le Pulega fo’i e na te una’ia malosi le fa’alauiloaina o a tatou oloa e auina pe fefa’ataua’i atu i fafo.
I lona aotelega, o le Pulega ua fa’atuina ina ia mafai ai ona fa’afaigofie ma fa’amaopo’opo le auina atu i fafo o ‘oloa ma au’aunaga mai Samoa. O le fa’amoemoe autū, ia mafai lea ona tele ‘oloa ma au’aunaga auina atu i fafo, ina ia manuia ai o tatou tagata, o le toatele o i latou o faifa’ato’aga mai nu’u i tua.
A o le’i fa’amutaina la’u tautalaga, ou te avatu le fa’amalō tele i le Komiti Fa’atonu Le Tumau a le Pulega, o i latou ia sa latou ta’imua i le tu’ufa’atasiga o le Tulafono mo le Pulega, ma sa ta’ita’iina fo’i galuega fai mo le fa’atuina o le Pulega, e aofia ai le fa’afouina o le Ofisa, ma sa galulue fa’atasi ma le Pule Sili, i le tu’ufa’atasia o le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao ‘ua tatou patipatia i le taeao nei.
E fa’apea fo’i ‘ona momoli le fa’afetai tele i le Matagaluega o Fa’alapotopotoga a le Malō (MPE), sa ‘avea ma failautusi (Secretariat) a le Komiti Fa’atonu Le Tumau, i le 12 masina o le latou galuega. Fa’afetai i le Komiti Le Tumau, ‘ua ma’ea la outou galuega sa tofia ai ‘outou e le Kapeneta, fa’amalo le fai o le faiva:
I lau Afioga i le Ta’ita’ifono o le Komiti le Tumau, lau Afioga Tagaloa Eddie Wilson;
Lau Afioga Fa’amausili Dr Matagialofi Lua’iufi;
Lau Afioga Tuisa Tasi Patea;
Fa’apea sui ex-officios: Afioga Saoleititi Maeva Betham-Vaai, ma le Afioga ia Pouli Dr Keneti Faulalo.
Talitonu ‘ua ‘outou fausia se paepae maumaututū e fai ma fa’avae malosi e fa’atino ai galuega fai a le Pulega i le ta’ita’iga a le Komiti Fa’atonu fou ua fa’atuina i lalo o le Tulafono.
Ia atonu o se avanoa lelei lenei e fa’atalofa atu ai i tou Afioga i le ulua’i Komiti Fa’atonu a le Pulega, ua fa’atuina i lalo o le Tulafono.
Fa’atalofa atu:
Lau Afioga Tuia’opo Andrew Aliki, o le Ta’ita’ifono lea o le Komiti Fa’atonu;
Afioga Tuimaseve Kuinimeri Asora-Finau;
Afioga Peseta Peter Tone;
Afioga Tagaloa Eddide Wilson; ma le
Afioga Vaai Kolone Vaai
O outou māmā na. O la outou ta’ita’iga ma le galulue faʻatasi ma le Ofisa Sili ma le aufaigaluega a le Pulega, o le a mautinoa ai le ‘ausia o sini autu ma matafaioi fa’atino a le Pulega, e pei ona fa’atulagaina i le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao mo le Tausaga Fa’aletupe 2025/2026 – 2029/2030. Ia, fa’amanuia tele le Atua i le Pulega ma le amatalia o lana folauga, ma ia fai sona ‘ai mo se manuia o tatou tagata lautele.
Ou te fiafia lava e fa’asilasila atu, ua tatala aloaia nei le Ofisa fou mo le Pulega o Oloa Auina atu i Fafo a Samoa (Samoa Export Authority), fa’apea le Fa’alauiloaina aloaia o le latou Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao (Corporate Plan) mo le ulua’i 5 tausaga o lona fa’atuina.
Soifua ma ia Manuia.
Ata Pueina – Malo o Samoa (Asuisui V. Matafeo)
TATALA ALOAIA LE OFISA FOU O LE PULEGA O OLOA AUINA ATU I FAFO A SAMOA MA LANA FUAFUAGA AUTASI ALUALU MAMAO
SAUNOAGA AUTU a le Afioga i le Palemia, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa [Aso Tofi 3 Aperila 2025]
Susu lau Susuga i le Ta’ita’i o le Sauniga, lau Susuga Puletua Tapumanaia, Fa’afeagaiga o le Ekalesia EFKS, Penieli Fou, Falelauniu,
Afifio Minisita o le Kapeneta,
Sui o tatou Paaga tau Atina’e,
Afifio Ta’ita’ifono o Komiti Fa’atonu ma Sui o Komiti Fa’afoe o Fa’alapotopotoga a le Malo,
Afifio Sui o Komiti Faufautua o Fa’atoaga ma Faigafaiva,
Afifio Fa’auluuluga o Matagaluega ma Fa’alapotopotoga Tumaoti a le Malo,
Aufai Pisinisi Gaosi Oloa Auina atu i Fafo,
Sui o Paaga a le Pulega o Oloa Auina atu i Fafo a Samoa,
Le paia ma le mamalu o Samoa ua potopoto,
E talitonu o lea ua mapu i le tuasivi le faiva o manusina. Ua mae’a fo’i ona utu le uila o matagi auā le fa’amua ma le fa’asani i le Atua ma Lona agalelei. Ua utūialā le sasaga i le ūtugāvai a tausala, ma ua fa’atofolia i tatou i le malilie o sua o vai, auā manū fa’aifo mai le Tapa’au Silisili’ese i le Lagi.
Ou te manatu fo’i ua mae’a paelago pa’ia o Samoa ua potopoto e le Fofoga o le aso, o le a le toe o’o i ai se tala.
Ae e ia te a’u le mitamitaga tele i lenei taeao, ua tatou auai fa’atasi e molimauina le tatalaina aloa’ia o le Ofisa fou o le Pulega o Oloa Auina Atu i Fafo a Samoa. Ua le o po malaē i le tatou fa’atasiga, o le Pulega ua faitau tausaga ona fuafua ma fa’atalatalanoa, ma ua leva fo’i ona fai galuega mo lona tau fa’atūina, e aofia ai le faufauina o ana Faiga Fa’avae, ma sana Tulafono Autū.
Pei ona silafia, o le Tulafono o le Pulega o Oloa Auina Atu i Fafo a Samoa 2024, sa pasia lea e le Palemene i lana fonotaga i le masina o Aukuso 2024, ma sa sainia ai e lana Afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Malō, i le Aso 22 Aukuso, 2024. O lea Tulafono, ua fa’atuina ai le Pulega, o se Fa’alapotopotoga ua Tu’ufa’atasia Fa’aletulafono (Body Corporate).
E le gata i le tatala aloa’iaina o le Ofisa fou, ae o le taeao nei, o le a fa’apea fo’i ona tatou amana’iaina ai le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao a le Pulega (Corporate Plan) mo lona ulua’i 5 tausaga o lona fa’atūina, mai le tausaga fa’aletupe 2025/2026 se’ia o’o i le 2029/2030. O le avea o le 5 tausaga e fa’atulaga ai le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao, ina ia o gatasi ma le fa’avae fa’ata’oto a le Malō, mo le Pulega e avea ma Public Beneficial Body i le 5 tausaga muamua mai lona fa’atuina, ona toe iloilo lea pe agava’a ona liliu e avea ma Public Trading Body.
E pei ona lau silafia, o le fa’avae autū sa a’e ai le tofā mo le fa’atuina o le Pulega, o le tau fo’ia lea o le fa’afitauli tugā, i le ova mamao o le tele o oloa fa’aulufale mai i Samoa, pe a fa’atusatusa i oloa auina atu i fafo. I le taimi nei, e tusa ma le $1 piliona Tala tupe fa’aalu a Samoa i oloa fa’aulufale mai, ae na o le 10% o lea aofa’iga, e maua mai lea i ana oloa auina atu i fafo. O se tulaga lē paleni tele lea i fefa’atauaiga o oloa, ua fa’ama’ia ai le atina’e o le tatou atunu’u, ma o se tulaga e tatau ona vave fo’ia.
O le Tulafono o le Pulega o Oloa Auina Atu i Fafo a Samoa 2024, fa’apea le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao ua tatou patipatia i le taeao nei, o lo’o fa’ata’atitia, ma aiaia ai matafaioi tau’ave, fa’apea galuega poutū a le Pulega.
O sini ma galuega autū o le Pulega, e aofia ai le fesoasoani malosi i le fa’amaopo’opoina ma le fa’afaigofieina o le auina atu i fafo o a tatou oloa, e ala i faiga fa’apa’aga ma isi fa’alapotopotoga ‘ese’ese a le Malo ua tutusa malosi’aga, e pei o le Matagalujega o Pisinisi, Alamanuia ma Leipa (MCIL) ma le Matagaluega o le Va i Fafo ma Fefa’ataua’iga (MFAT), aemaise vaega tuma’oti e i ai le Au faifa’ato’aga ma au’aunaga e mafai ona auina atu i fafo. E aofia ai fo’i le fesoasoani malosi mo alamanuia mo le aufai fa’ato’aga lima vaivai ma alalafaga o lo o gāfātia i le galuea’ina o latou fanua ma ‘ele’ele fa’aleaganu’u, e ala lea i galuega fuafuaina a le Pulega.
O galuega tau’ave autu a le Pulega, e aofia ai le fa’ateleina o fua faifa’ato’aga e fuafua mo ‘oloa, pe o le gaosia o ‘oloa e ‘auina atu i fafo, e ala lea i le fesoasoani e sui faiga faifa’ato’aga, mai i le na o le gaosia mo taumafa fa’ale’āiga (subsistence), ae faifa’ato’aga e gaosia taumafa fa’apea le faifa’apisinisi (commercialization).
E le gata i lea, o galuega tau’ave autū a le Pulega, e aofia ai fo’i le fa’amaopo’opo ma fa’afeso’ota’iga o le ‘au faifa’ato’aga, le ‘au fa’atau’oloa, ma i latou uma o lo o faia au’aunaga mo le atina’eina o oloa auina atu i fafo, aemaise o le fa’amautinoaina o lo’o iai se si’osi’omaga talafeagai mo le auina atu i fafo o a tatou oloa. O le Pulega fo’i e na te una’ia malosi le fa’alauiloaina o a tatou oloa e auina pe fefa’ataua’i atu i fafo.
I lona aotelega, o le Pulega ua fa’atuina ina ia mafai ai ona fa’afaigofie ma fa’amaopo’opo le auina atu i fafo o ‘oloa ma au’aunaga mai Samoa. O le fa’amoemoe autū, ia mafai lea ona tele ‘oloa ma au’aunaga auina atu i fafo, ina ia manuia ai o tatou tagata, o le toatele o i latou o faifa’ato’aga mai nu’u i tua.
A o le’i fa’amutaina la’u tautalaga, ou te avatu le fa’amalō tele i le Komiti Fa’atonu Le Tumau a le Pulega, o i latou ia sa latou ta’imua i le tu’ufa’atasiga o le Tulafono mo le Pulega, ma sa ta’ita’iina fo’i galuega fai mo le fa’atuina o le Pulega, e aofia ai le fa’afouina o le Ofisa, ma sa galulue fa’atasi ma le Pule Sili, i le tu’ufa’atasia o le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao ‘ua tatou patipatia i le taeao nei.
E fa’apea fo’i ‘ona momoli le fa’afetai tele i le Matagaluega o Fa’alapotopotoga a le Malō (MPE), sa ‘avea ma failautusi (Secretariat) a le Komiti Fa’atonu Le Tumau, i le 12 masina o le latou galuega. Fa’afetai i le Komiti Le Tumau, ‘ua ma’ea la outou galuega sa tofia ai ‘outou e le Kapeneta, fa’amalo le fai o le faiva:
I lau Afioga i le Ta’ita’ifono o le Komiti le Tumau, lau Afioga Tagaloa Eddie Wilson;
Lau Afioga Fa’amausili Dr Matagialofi Lua’iufi;
Lau Afioga Tuisa Tasi Patea;
Fa’apea sui ex-officios: Afioga Saoleititi Maeva Betham-Vaai, ma le Afioga ia Pouli Dr Keneti Faulalo.
Talitonu ‘ua ‘outou fausia se paepae maumaututū e fai ma fa’avae malosi e fa’atino ai galuega fai a le Pulega i le ta’ita’iga a le Komiti Fa’atonu fou ua fa’atuina i lalo o le Tulafono.
Ia atonu o se avanoa lelei lenei e fa’atalofa atu ai i tou Afioga i le ulua’i Komiti Fa’atonu a le Pulega, ua fa’atuina i lalo o le Tulafono.
Fa’atalofa atu:
Lau Afioga Tuia’opo Andrew Aliki, o le Ta’ita’ifono lea o le Komiti Fa’atonu;
Afioga Tuimaseve Kuinimeri Asora-Finau;
Afioga Peseta Peter Tone;
Afioga Tagaloa Eddide Wilson; ma le
Afioga Vaai Kolone Vaai
O outou māmā na. O la outou ta’ita’iga ma le galulue faʻatasi ma le Ofisa Sili ma le aufaigaluega a le Pulega, o le a mautinoa ai le ‘ausia o sini autu ma matafaioi fa’atino a le Pulega, e pei ona fa’atulagaina i le Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao mo le Tausaga Fa’aletupe 2025/2026 – 2029/2030. Ia, fa’amanuia tele le Atua i le Pulega ma le amatalia o lana folauga, ma ia fai sona ‘ai mo se manuia o tatou tagata lautele.
Ou te fiafia lava e fa’asilasila atu, ua tatala aloaia nei le Ofisa fou mo le Pulega o Oloa Auina atu i Fafo a Samoa (Samoa Export Authority), fa’apea le Fa’alauiloaina aloaia o le latou Fuafuaga Autasi Alualu Mamao (Corporate Plan) mo le ulua’i 5 tausaga o lona fa’atuina.
[GOVT PRESS SECRETARIAT – Thursday, 03rd April 2025] – Cabinet has approved the reappointment of Agafili Tomaimanō Shem Leo to the position of Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (MPMC), and Secretary to Cabinet.
Agafili was initially appointed to this position in late 2015 and officially commenced his duties in 2016. He began his career as a teacher at Samoa College in 2001 and was promoted to the role of Principal Policy Analyst for the MPMC in 2007. He has remained with the Ministry for 18 years including nine years as CEO.
Agafili holds a Master of Arts in Governance, a Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies and a Bachelor of Education in Geography. He is a former student of Samoa College and an alumni of the University of the South Pacific in Suva.
He is an Assistant Pastor and a Bible teacher for the Laloanea Bible Fellowship. He is married with two children. He is from the villages of Tufulele, Amaile, Samusu, and Sala’ilua.
END.
TOFIAINA O AGAFILI TOMAIMANŌ SHEM LEO I LE TOFIGA OFISA SILI O PULEGA O LE MATĀGALUEGA A LE PALEMIA MA LE KAPENETA
[SO’O’UPU A LE MALO – Aso Tofi, 03 Aperila 2025] – Ua fa’amaonia e le Kapeneta le toe tofia o le tōfā iā Agafili Tomaimanō Shem Leo i le tofiga o le Ofisa Sili o Pulega o le Matāgaluega a le Palemia ma le Kapeneta, faapea le tofiga Failautusi o le Kapeneta mo le isi tolu tausaga.
Na muai tofia Agafili Tomaimanō i lenei tofiga i le faaiuga o le 2015 ma amata aloaia ai i le 2016. Na amata lana tautua i le Malo i le 2001 o se faiaoga faauuina i le Kolisi o Samoa, ona tofia lea e galue i le Matagaluega o le Palemia ma le Kapeneta i le 2007 e oo mai i le asō.
O loo umiaina e Agafili Faailoga Tau Aoaoga o le Matuaofaiva o Fa’atufugaga i Tulaga Tau Pulega [Master of Arts in Governance], Tipiloma Mauāluga i Suesuega Tau Atina’e [Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies], ma le Tikeri o Tulaga tau Aoaoga (Bachelor of Education in Geography). Sa aoaoina o ia i le Kolisi o Samoa, ma agai atu ai i le Iunivesete o le Pasefika i Saute i Fiti.
O ia o se tasi o Taitai mo le Mafutaga Faale Tusi Paia i Laloanea.
E toalua o la alo, ma o se tama fanau a afioaga o Tufulele, Amaile, Samusu, ma Sala’ilua.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Lam So-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
Question:
Regarding promoting the development of the tourism industry, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it has assessed the actual effectiveness of various tourism promotional campaigns (including the “Night Vibes Hong Kong” and the “Hello Hong Kong” campaigns) in the past three years, including but not limited to (i) the growth in the number of visitor arrivals, (ii) the consumption pattern and spending of visitors, (iii) the actual economic benefits to the local retail and catering industries, and (iv) the gap between the actual effectiveness and the expected targets;
(2) whether the Government has formulated a specific timetable and effectiveness indicators for the implementation of the 133 measures in the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 (Blueprint 2.0); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) as given that it is learnt that the tourism industry and related service industries (e.g. retail and catering industries) are currently facing the challenges of manpower shortage and digital transformation, and that Blueprint 2.0 proposes to strengthen the cultivation of talents for the tourism industry and promote the development of smart tourism, of the Government’s specific support measures (including the relevant funding arrangements) in place to assist the industry (especially small and medium-sized enterprises) in overcoming the relevant difficulties?
Reply:
President,
In respect of the question raised by the Hon Lam So-wai, in consultation with the Labour Department, the reply is as follows:
(1) With the re-opening of Hong Kong’s cross-boundary tourism activities in early 2023, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) immediately launched a large-scale global promotional campaign, “Hello Hong Kong”, in February of the same year. Through the launch of a series of promotional activities, the HKTB has made every effort to promote the recovery of tourism, spread the welcome message around the globe, reconnect with global visitors and entice them to experience the excitement and charms of Hong Kong in person.
Highlights of the large-scale global promotional campaign “Hello Hong Kong” included:
Sending the greatest welcome to the world
The HKTB invited trade representatives, celebrities and key opinion leaders (KOLs), etc, to take part in the production of more than 330 video clips featuring travel experiences in Hong Kong to send a welcome message to the world. These videos were broadcast on more than 3 000 different platforms worldwide. During the period, the “Hello Hong Kong” dance challenge launched on social media platform TikTok attracted over 1.2 million video clips from netizens with 1.5 billion global viewership. The challenge became TikTok’s promotional campaign with the highest traffic in the Southeast Asian market in the first quarter of 2023 and brought 300 000 new followers to the HKTB’s official account, increasing the total number of followers to around 2 million.
To welcome inbound visitors from all over the world, provide an additional promotional channel for local merchants and create business opportunities, the HKTB distributed about 2 million Hong Kong Goodies visitor consumption vouchers (each valued at HK$100 or more) for visitors to redeem offers or free welcome drinks at one of the 4 000 designated catering outlets, retailers or attractions across the city.
At the same time, the HKTB supported the promotion of the Airport Authority Hong Kong’s giveaway of 500 000 air tickets in various visitor source markets.
Seeing is believing – inviting guests to Hong Kong for first-hand experience
In 2023, the HKTB invited over 2 000 trade and media representatives, celebrities, KOLs and HKTB’s Hong Kong Super Fans from the Mainland, Southeast Asia and Europe, etc, to visit the city in person for tailor-made thematic itineraries to showcase Hong Kong’s diverse tourism appeal and tell good stories of Hong Kong.
Reaching out to the world – showcasing Hong Kong’s appeal
The HKTB took the initiative in leading the trade to reach out to the world by participating in more than 20 large-scale travel fairs and trade events related to meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions held in the Mainland and overseas markets in 2023, so as to demonstrate Hong Kong’s tourism appeal and help the trade explore business opportunities.
In 2024, the HKTB also actively developed diversified tourism experiences to enhance the city’s appeal as a travel destination by making use of Hong Kong movies to promote tourism, promoting panda tourism and riding on various Chinese and Western festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Halloween, as well as different themes like arts and culture, neighbourhoods, great outdoors, to bring in brand-new experiences and hype up the blissful ambience.
Meanwhile, over the past two years after the pandemic, the HKTB resumed hosting of different mega events covering sports, gastronomy and entertainment elements, including the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, Hong Kong WinterFest, Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations and International Chinese New Year Night Parade, while injecting new perspectives, elements and experiences to enrich the events. HKTB organised in 2023 the first “Harbour Chill Carnival” at the Wan Chai harbourfront, featuring music shows on water stage, street performances and X-Games performances; “Summer Chill Food Lane” was set up during the 2024 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races; “Cyclothon Carnival” was held in 2024 Hong Kong Cyclothon; and the previously four-day Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival was extended to five-day in 2024, attracting more locals and visitors.
In addition, the HKTB presented a series of drone shows and pyrotechnic displays with different themes to tie in with festivals and events in 2024 such as the Galloping Horse in the Sky drone show and Winter Harbourfront Pyrotechnics Show, which successfully created a vibrant city-wide ambience. The events attracted both local and international media exposure and active participation of both locals and visitors, reinforcing the city’s status as the Events Capital of Asia and bringing global publicity value, thereby creating a vibrant atmosphere in the city and stimulating consumption and economy.
To support the “Night Vibes Hong Kong” campaign launched by the Government in mid-September 2023, HKTB also rolled out a number of mega events and promotions to enhance ambience at night. These included the promotion support for the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, promotion of the “Hallo” Hong Kong Halloween campaign, “Hong Kong Night Treats” dining vouchers, Hong Kong Night Bus Tour visitor exclusive offers and brand-new Temple Street promotion.
The effectiveness of the HKTB’s tourism promotion work cannot be assessed entirely in quantifiable terms. Notwithstanding, the HKTB will set different indicators based on the nature of its promotions and events, such as website views, social media reach, global media exposure, participants’ satisfaction, likelihood to recommend to family and friends and intention to revisit, to measure the effectiveness. The various tourism promotions launched by the HKTB in the past three years received positive feedback. Not only have they successfully showcased Hong Kong’s return to normalcy after the pandemic, but also boosted the city vibe, creating more reasons for visitors to visit Hong Kong and attracting them to visit. The promotions have met their objectives.
(2) The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) announced on December 30, 2024, the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 (Blueprint 2.0) outlining the overall working direction for the development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry from 2025 to 2030. Blueprint 2.0 proposes four-pronged positioning for tourism development and four major development strategies, covering product development, visitor source expansion, smart tourism and service enhancement, with a view to promoting the prosperous and healthy development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. At the same time, Blueprint 2.0 proposes 133 specific actions and measures that are conducive to the development of tourism, with a view to stimulating the vitality of the tourism market through diversified strategies, enriching the quality and content of tourism products and services, and further mobilising different industries to jointly promote the development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. The implementation schedule of the various measures which are categorised into short- (within three years), medium- (three to six years) and long- (more than six years) term and the related performance indicators are set out in Blueprint 2.0.
(3) The CSTB has been maintaining liaison with tourism-related parties, including the HKTB, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC), the Travel Industry Authority (TIA), the Hong Kong Hotels Association and the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, to understand the existing situation of manpower resources among different job categories in the industry and explore feasible remedial measures in a bid to cope with the short, medium and long-term needs of manpower resources.
Blueprint 2.0 sets out the overall working direction and strategy in the next five years and one of the development strategies is to enhance the service quality and support of the tourism industry on all fronts, and to cultivate talents, which covers 31 measures.
Following the related strategy, the CSTB will continue to maintain close communication with the tertiary institutions that provide hotel and tourism-related curriculum, encourage collaboration among tertiary institutions and the trade in organising career expos and seminars to enhance young people’s understanding of the development prospects of the tourism industry, make good use of various tourism volunteer and youth ambassador programmes to nurture more aspiring youth to join the tourist guide profession, as well as continue to explore with the relevant bureau further expansion of the Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme to cover hotel management, tourism and hospitality related programmes.
On the other hand, the Government allocated $100 million in 2022-23 to subsidise the training and development of travel trade practitioners. The TIA will continue to utilise the funding to support training for travel trade and implement measures to attract more talents to pursue a career in the tourism industry and enhance the professional standards of the trade including assessing the manpower requirement for tourist guides, tour escorts and different job categories in travel agents through data collection, so that a more detailed and comprehensive manpower resources strategy can be formulated; supporting students of tertiary educational institutions to obtain a tourist guide licence; reviewing and streamlining the curriculum and requirements of the licensing examination and pre-examination training courses; launching a docent-to-tourist guide bridging programme and a specialised tourist guide licensing programme to increase the supply of professional tourist guides in the market; and engaging the TIC as a partner for placement opportunity and talents matching to improve talent supply and demand in the industry.
Besides, the Labour Department has implemented the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) since September 4, 2023, to alleviate the manpower shortage across different industries (including the accommodation services industry). Employers of the hotel sector may apply under ESLS to import workers at technician level or below to fill vacancies which they have genuine difficulties in recruiting suitable staff locally. As at March 31, 2025, employers of the accommodation services industry were approved to import 1 633 workers under ESLS, mainly for posts such as room attendant, waiter/waitress and receptionist.
On assisting the industry in digital transformation, the Government allocated a total of $70 million to the TIC under 2016-17, 2018-19 and 2023-24 Budgets to launch the Information Technology Development Matching Fund Scheme for Travel Agents, under which funding support is provided on a matching basis to each eligible travel agent. Funded projects include efficiency and productivity enhancement through big data, promotion of digital marketing, security of information technology system, development of mobile apps and website enhancement, to encourage the industry to make use of technology for upgrading and transformation, and to enhance the ability of travel agents to expand their business through information technology.
The CSTB will work closely with the relevant bureaux/departments and executing organisations to actively alleviate the manpower shortage in the travel trade and the challenge of digital transformation, thereby improving service quality. This ensures that visitors get to experience Hong Kong’s zealous hospitality, thereby shaping a more attractive tourism brand.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2025 – Main Forum II: Hong Kong Tourism Development Forum today (April 16):
(Chairman of the China Tourism Group, Mr Wang Haimin), Dr Peter Lam (Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board), distinguished guests, friends from the international tourism community and fellow stakeholders,
Good morning. First of all, a very warm welcome to all of you to Hong Kong once again for this important forum dedicated to the development of the tourism industry. As the Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism, I am truly delighted to see so many passionate and talented counterparts and stakeholders from tourism related industries, home and away, gathered here today with the common goal of enhancing the vibrancy and sustainability of Hong Kong’s tourism development.
For decades, Hong Kong has captivated the world as a premier travel destination. With concerted effort of the Government and our industry partners, Hong Kong’s tourism industry put up a strong comeback after the pandemic in 2023 and sustained with rising momentum in 2024, seeing a 31 per cent growth year-on-year in visitor arrivals. Stepping into the first quarter in 2025, we continued with an encouraging performance, welcoming over 12 million visitors, which represents a year-on-year increase of 9 per cent.
A bright future of tourism development does not lie with increased visitor arrival numbers though. With the advancement in digital technology and changing consumer preferences under the global tourism landscape, we must embrace innovation and adapt our offerings to maintain our competitive edge. We must also be clear about Hong Kong’s uniqueness and positioning in order to emerge stronger for future challenges.
With this in mind, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau promulgated in December last year the second Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry – we call it Blueprint 2.0, setting out our vision and mission for the next five-year period from 2025 to 2030.
Blueprint 2.0 proposes four major development strategies and 133 measures that span every facet of the industry including product development, visitor source expansion, smart tourism and service enhancement.
With Blueprint 2.0 and the strong support from the Central People’s Government in Beijing, I pledge to lead my team to strengthen ties and collaboration with stakeholders both within and outside the Government to implement Blueprint 2.0. I shall also empower and assist our trade practitioners to unleash Hong Kong’s tourism offerings in full.
Tourism is a fast-moving and ever-changing landscape. The spirit of “steering changes” in Blueprint 2.0 is a key to meeting challenges ahead and seizing opportunities for growth. I encourage stakeholders to break out from the boundaries of previous endeavours, even old patterns of success. Let us be bold to come out of our comfort zones and embrace new innovation and technology, and bring out new proposals that can inject fresh impetus into Hong Kong’s tourism industry.
Today’s forum offers great opportunity for putting our heads together for the future of Hong Kong’s tourism industry. Hong Kong’s hosting of this year’s Fragrant Hills Summit also showcases our strategic advantages in fostering deeper international exchanges and co-operation in the area of tourism development, and in bringing together industry leaders worldwide for fruitful deliberation and swift actions. I look forward to writing the next chapter of Hong Kong’s tourism story – one filled with innovation, resilience and boundless opportunities, with all of you.
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Treatments Continues in Kona
Posted on Apr 15, 2025 in Main
April 15, 2025 NR25-08
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), with the assistance of the County of Hawai‘i Public Works Department, have been working collaboratively since January 2025 to combat the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) after detections in the Kona area. The HDOA and Hawai‘i County crews completed the latest round of treatments on palm trees last week at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport in the continuing effort to protect the island from CRB infestations.
“The staff of the Department of Agriculture remains dedicated to stopping the further spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, with emphasis in areas that are not known to be infested,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. “We truly appreciate the concern and assistance of Mayor Kimo Alameda and the county’s public works crew in providing the resources to prevent CRB from taking hold on Hawai‘i Island. We also appreciate all the various agencies and organizations that work tirelessly in the fight against invasive species.”
Mayor Alameda emphasized the importance of the state and county working collaboratively to protect the island from the invasive species. “The introduction of the coconut rhinoceros beetle is a major concern, and we are committed to doing everything we can—alongside HDOA and our other partners—to stop its spread,” he said.
In September 2024, HDOA Plant Pest Control (PPC) personnel found a single CRB in a trap during routine monitoring in Waikoloa. This was the first detection of CRB on the island since October 2023 when a Waikoloa resident found six grubs (larvae) in a decaying palm tree stump. Increased surveillance continued throughout the island and more intensely on the Kona side.
In January 2025, Mayor Alameda and the County of Hawai‘i offered their resources and assistance to HDOA, including the use of their 75-foot boom truck to treat the crowns of palm trees. On January 14, the team treated a total of 38 trees in the Waikoloa area via crown treatments and 24 trees were treated via an injection system which provides systemic protection against CRB. HDOA’s Pesticides Branch was also at the site to assist. So far, there have been no further detections of CRB in Waikoloa.
On March 3, 2025, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) reported one adult CRB in a detection trap along the boundary of the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. A day later, two more adult CRBs were found in traps at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i (NELHA).
After the detections, HDOA, county crews and airport staff targeted treatments at the airport over a period of three days in March. The county provided the use of two boom trucks and the team treated 128 trees on the airport grounds and injected 12 more trees that were inaccessible to the boom trucks. So far, there have been no further detections at the airport.
Last week, on April 7 and 8, crews began work at NELHA and treated 58 trees via crown treatments with about 14 trees treated via injections due to their close proximity to water.
All palms that were treated were tagged and surrounded with yellow tape to indicate treatment. Coconuts from treated trees should not be consumed. Questions regarding pesticide use may be addressed to HDOA’s Pesticides Branch at 808-973-9402.
Surveillance for CRB continues around Hawai‘i Island by HDOA, BIISC, University of Hawai‘i, the County of Hawai‘i and the state Department of Health Vector Control Branch.
Residents on all islands are asked to be vigilant when purchasing mulch, compost and soil products, and to inspect bags for evidence of entry holes. CRB grubs breed in decomposing plant and animal waste. An adult beetle is about 2-inches long, all black and has a single horn on its head.
Residents may go to the CRB Response website at: https://www.crbhawaii.org/ to learn more about how to detect the signs of CRB damage and how to identify CRB life stages. Reports of possible CRB infestation may also be made to the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378).
# # #
CRB treatment at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport
CRB treatment at Kona Airport
Waikoloa tree injection treatment
Waikoloa CRB treatment using boom truck
Tagging of treated trees – do not consume coconuts
The University of the Philippines Diliman, also referred to as UP Diliman or simply University of the Philippines, is a public, coeducational, research university located in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
It was established on February 12, 1949, as the flagship campus and seat of administration of the University of the Philippines System, the national university of the Philippines.
As a member of the University of the Philippines System, it is the fourth oldest and is the largest constituent campus in terms of the number of degree-granting academic units, student population, faculty, and library resources.
Question for written answer E-001428/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (S&D), Lídia Pereira (PPE)
Improving electric vehicle battery recycling in the EU is crucial to enhancing the Union’s autonomy and resilience in critical raw materials. Valorising black mass, which contains valuable raw materials such as nickel, cobalt and lithium, is strategically important for the EU economy, particularly for the battery, defence and circular economy sectors. However, it is concerning that, at present, exporting black mass to non-EU countries is often easier than transporting it within the EU. This is due, in part, to a lack of harmonisation of regulations across Europe, and sometimes even within the same country, which makes it difficult to move black mass within the EU. The Commission’s recent decision to classify black mass from batteries as hazardous waste is a step in the right direction, as it will help to prevent easy exports to non-EU countries that are not members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), yet currently a large share of black mass is exported to South Korea, which is an OECD country.
What steps does the Commission plan to take to further harmonise rules on the transportation of black mass within the EU, to increase black mass retention in the EU and to improve the economic model for recycling black mass within the EU?
At the fashion lifestyle exhibition area of the ongoing 5th China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province, six brands under Volkswagen Group China, including Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Bentley, showcased the latest advancements in luxury and electric mobility.
This marks the third consecutive year that the German automaker has participated in the expo.
Liu Yunfeng, executive vice president of Volkswagen Group China, said that the presence of 11 models from the company’s various brands at this year’s expo fully demonstrates their long-term commitment and strong confidence in the Chinese market.
Meanwhile, as part of the strategic cooperation between the company and Hainan, projects in the fields of energy and charging are progressing steadily.
Liu said that the company places great importance on the Chinese market and is optimistic about the potential of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). The group will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with Hainan.
Leveraging the opening policies of the Hainan FTP, the group will steadily advance strategic cooperation across several fields, contributing jointly to the development of Hainan in sustainable mobility, he added.
Looking ahead, Liu noted that Volkswagen Group China will continue to deepen its engagement with the Chinese market, offering a rich product range and forward-looking technological solutions to provide local consumers with an even better electric mobility experience.
Volkswagen Group China plans to launch about 40 new models in the Chinese market from 2025 to 2027, with more than half of them being new energy vehicles. By 2030, the group will release over 30 pure electric models in the Chinese market.
Ducati, a leading motorcycle brand of Volkswagen Group China, showcased two classic motorcycle models this year, which captivated the attention of many visitors. Fabio Lambertini, CEO of Ducati China, said it was the third time that Ducati had participated in the expo.
“The Chinese market is making continuous evolution,” said Lambertini, noting that Ducati is thus shaping an “in China, for China” strategy that perfectly fits the local needs.
Regarding Hainan, Lambertini believed the province is a vital hub for China and for Ducati as well, adding that Hainan’s excellent roads along the seaside and in the mountains could offer an opportunity to invest further on the island.
As the largest consumer products exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region, the expo is being held in Hainan from April 13 to 18, drawing participation from over 4,100 brands across 71 countries and regions.
Who will care for your ageing relatives when you can’t? It’s a question that many families in Europe are having to answer, as demographic changes caused by Europe’s ageing populations become more deeply embedded.
As loved ones get older or face long-term illnesses and disabilities, the demand for care is skyrocketing. But the workforce isn’t keeping up. One in five Europeans is already 65 or older, and by 2050, that number will hit 30%. This demographic shift will drive a 23.5% increase in demand for long-term care workers – but where will they come from?
Right now, the numbers don’t add up. Europe’s long-term care sector employs around 6.3 million people, yet there is already a massive shortfall of carers. Millions of families are stepping in, with 44 million Europeans – mostly women – providing unpaid, informal care for elderly relatives. This burden is neither sufficiently acknowledged nor sustainable. Our recent research shows the extent to which migrant care workers bridge this gap.
Across the EU, nearly 10% of long-term care workers are foreign-born. Some come from within the EU, but many arrive from South America (20%), Africa (12%), and Asia (10%). Once in Europe, they plug a critical gap in the care system, taking on jobs that local workers won’t or can’t do.
Despite their essential role, migrant care workers frequently suffer poor treatment. Many work on temporary contracts, earning lower wages than their European counterparts and contending with exploitative conditions. Some work in undeclared jobs, leading to informal roles with no legal protections, making them vulnerable to abuse.
In Norway, migrant carers tend to be given lower-status jobs, even when their qualifications match or exceed those of their local colleagues. They are also perceived as less professional, despite their experience and training. In Germany, a family hiring a Polish caregiver through an agency was shocked to learn she received just €1,000 (£860) per month, while they were paying €2,800 (£2400) – with the agency pocketing the difference.
In some EU countries, restrictive immigration policies make things harder for migrant care workers. In Cyprus and Malta, for example, migrant care workers on temporary visas are denied access to social benefits, even after years of service. Many also struggle with language barriers, making it harder to assert their rights or have their qualifications recognised.
Labour shortages
Nearly all EU countries face critical labour shortages in long-term care. The problem is worse in lower-income EU countries, where attracting and retaining care workers is more difficult. Low wages and difficult working conditions make these jobs unattractive to locals, pushing many to seek employment in western European countries with better pay.
The disparities are stark. In the Netherlands, long-term care workers earn 96% of the national average hourly wage. In Bulgaria, it is just 62%. Many eastern European and Baltic states also suffer from a lack of home care services, forcing families to rely on underfunded nursing homes or informal, unregulated care.
The European Commission introduced the skills and talents package in 2022, to improve conditions and legal migration processes for workers in sectors with shortages. This included a proposal for the EU Talent Pool – a digital platform to connect employers in the EU with skilled workers from non-EU countries. The European Parliament’s civil liberties committee endorsed the plan in March of this year, paving the way for a new approach to international recruitment.
If properly implemented, this initiative could help fill Europe’s care workforce gap and provide a legal, structured pathway for skilled migrants to join the sector. But public resistance to migration remains a huge barrier.
Anti-immigration sentiment
Europeans want their elderly relatives to receive quality care, but many are unwilling to accept that foreign workers are one of the ways to make that happen. This tension between public attitudes and economic realities threatens the future of long-term care in Europe.
Research shows that western European Millennials (born 1982–1991) are now more anti-immigrant than those born between 1952–1961.
The EU recognises the need for foreign workers, yet politicians are reluctant to make the case publicly. Public attitudes towards migration remain deeply divided, with preference often given to migrants from other EU countries or from Ukraine, following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
The EU’s reliance on migrant care workers will only increase in the coming decades. However, simply recruiting more foreign workers is not a sustainable solution unless the system itself changes.
Several measures could help ensure that migrant care workers receive fair treatment. Firstly, introducing a specific care visa for non-EU workers would ensure they have legal status and job security. Stronger legal protections against exploitative contracts and unfair wages are necessary. And making it easier to recognise foreign qualifications would allow skilled workers to take on roles that better match their experience.
Fairer wages and working conditions are essential to attract and retain both migrant and local workers. International cooperation between the EU and third countries could also create ethical, regulated migration pathways.
The bottom line is this: Europe’s population is getting older, and without migrant workers, millions of families will struggle to find care for their loved ones. Europe must support and protect workers, both migrant and local, in the care system for its own sake.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
SHENZHEN, China, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced the official launch of the Hong Kong edition of its verification service, JVerification (“JVerification (HK)”). As digital transformation continues to accelerate globally, the demand for seamless and secure cross-border services has become a top priority for developers. With this latest release, Aurora Mobile provides developers with a more efficient and secure verification solution to help businesses expand into the Hong Kong market.
JVerification (HK): A Next-Level Cross-Border Login and Verification Solution
Based on Aurora Mobile’s proven verification services, JVerification (HK) is specifically tailored for the Hong Kong market. With an upgraded SDK, it now fully supports two major scenarios:
Login and verification for Hong Kong mobile numbers within Hong Kong
Login and verification for Hong Kong mobile numbers within Mainland China
By streamlining the user verification process, JVerification (HK) enables fast and secure one-click login and verification, providing a seamless user experience with no complicated steps.
Technical Strength and Reliability: Aurora Mobile’s Core Advantages
JVerification (HK) leverages China Mobile’s SDK to provide robust technical support in Hong Kong. China Mobile’s well-established network infrastructure and expert local team offer a rock-solid foundation for service reliability and performance.
Quick Response: Even during peak traffic periods, login requests are processed quickly, ensuring a smooth login experience.
Security and Reliability: JVerification (HK) upholds strict technical standards and employs robust data protection mechanisms to ensure user privacy and data integrity.
The First Step in Expanding Cross-Border Verification
The launch of JVerification (HK) marks Aurora Mobile’s first major step into cross-border verification services. Looking ahead, the Company plans to expand service scenarios to enable “Mainland China mobile number logins in Hong Kong,” with the aim of refining its cross-border verification services and meeting the diverse business needs of developers.
This expansion will support:
Mainland Chinese developers going global: Helping mainland Chinese developers tap into the Hong Kong market as a gateway for overseas expansion and to enhance their global competitiveness.
Hong Kong and overseas developers: Providing Hong Kong and global developers with a more efficient verification tool to make local apps more competitive.
Full-Spectrum Technical Support for Developers
Aurora Mobile is committed to a developer-first approach and provides a professional technical support team that is available to assist developers with any issues during the integration process. From consulting to implementation, Aurora Mobile offers developers comprehensive support to ensure a smooth service launch.
About Aurora Mobile Limited
Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For more information, please contact:
Aurora Mobile Limited E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn
Christensen
In China Ms. Xiaoyan Su Phone: +86-10-5900-1548 E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com
In US Ms. Linda Bergkamp Phone: +1-480-614-3004 Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com
SINGAPORE, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) (“CURRENC” or the “Company”), a fintech pioneer empowering financial institutions worldwide with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, today announced its financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2024.
Recent Business Highlights CURRENC launched its strategic business transformation featuring several AI-driven initiatives. These projects position the Company at the forefront of AI innovation, create significant cross-selling opportunities and reinforce the Company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge financial solutions globally.
Launched SEAMLESS AI Call Centre Solutions (“Text AI,” “Voice AI,” and “Avatar AI”) to provide 24/7, multilingual virtual support;
Unveiled “AI Staff for Hire,” a suite of customizable AI Agents for tasks such as compliance, KYC, and HR;
Announced plans to develop a 500MW hyperscale AI data center in Malaysia;
Partnered with ARC Group to establish a $100 million AI-Focused Infrastructure & Investment Fund;
Secured a landmark contract with Coin Cove to deploy comprehensive AI-powered electronic banking services.
Full Year 2024 Financial Highlights
Total Processing Value (TPV) through Tranglo was US$5.14 billion for full year 2024, increasing by 13.2% year-over-year. Total number of transactions increased to 11.4 million for full year 2024 from 11.0 million for full year 2023.
Total revenues excluding TNG Asia and GEA1 were US$42.0 million for full year 2024, representing a year-over-year decrease of 3.4%. The decrease was mainly due to the 23.8% decline in global airtime revenue. As TNG Asia and GEA were divested during the third quarter, going forward, the Company’s total revenues will be comprised mainly of revenues contributed by Tranglo’s remittance and global airtime businesses and WalletKu’s Indonesian airtime business.
For the full-year period ended December 31,
2024
2023
$
$
(dollars in thousands)
Remittance revenue excluding TNG Asia & GEA
18,174
17,116
Global Airtime Revenue
9,336
12,188
Indonesian Airtime Revenue
14,505
14,211
Total Revenue excluding TNG Asia & GEA
42,015
43,515
Total remittance revenues excluding TNG Asia and GEA, i.e. remittance revenue contributed by Tranglo, were US$18.2 million for full year 2024, up 6.4% year-over-year. While Tranglo’s overall take rate declined to 0.37% in 2024 from 0.43% in 2023 due to intense market competition, its TPV increased by 13.2% to $5.14 billion, driving the increase in revenue. For full year 2024, ODL flows represented only 4.5% of Tranglo’s TPV.
CURRENC’s global airtime transfer revenues were US$9.3 million for full year 2024, representing a year-over-year decrease of 23.8%. The growing availability of free Wi-Fi in Southeast Asian countries, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, has led to declining demand for Malaysia-Indonesia airtime transfers, resulting in a decline in Tranglo’s global airtime business in 2024. As CURRENC expects this trend to continue in South East Asian markets, the Company’s management plans to deemphasize airtime transfer and reallocate its resources and capital to expand the remittance business.
Total direct costs of revenue excluding TNG Asia and GEA were US$28.9 million for full year 2024, representing a year-over-year decrease of 8%.
For the full-year period ended December 31,
2024
2023
$
$
(dollars in thousands)
Remittance direct costs excluding TNG Asia & GEA
6,878
7,168
Global Airtime Direct Costs
8,089
10,744
Indonesian Airtime Direct Costs
13,910
13,463
Total Direct Costs excluding TNG Asia & GEA
28,877
31,375
The direct payout rate for Tranglo’s remittance business improved to 0.12% for 2024 from 0.15% for 2023. Therefore, although Tranglo’s TPV increased by 13.2%, its direct remittance costs declined by 4.2%.
Gross profit margin for the remittance business excluding TNG Asia and GEA was 62%, compared to 58% for 2023. CURRENC’s overall gross profit margin ratio for full year 2024 was 31%, compared to 28% for 2023.
Total operating expenses increased to $42.0 million for full year 2024 from $24.0 million for full year 2023. The substantial increase was mainly due to expenses of $20.9 million in recognition of the incentive shares granted to employees upon the completion of the INFINT SPAC merger, and $1 million in recognition of shares granted to Roth for their services as Capital Market Advisor.
As CURRENC divested TNG Asia and GEA in August and July 2024, respectively, its operating costs going forward will reflect the operating costs of Tranglo, WalletKu and the Company’s headquarters only. Also, as CURRENC rolls out its new AI initiatives, operating costs in relation to these new businesses will be incurred from year 2025 onwards. The new AI businesses are also expected to bring in new revenues in the year 2025 onwards.
Tranglo’s operating costs for full year 2024 were $12.9 million, representing an increase of 4.9% from $12.3 million for full year 2023, in line with TPV growth.
WalletKu’s operating costs were $1.2 million for full year 2024, as compared to $1.5 million for full year 2023.
Legal and professional fees decreased to $1.7 million for the full year of 2024, from $4.7 million in 2023, due to the completion of the INFINT SPAC merger and the cessation of related legal expenses.
Other Loss totaled $2.2 million for full year 2024, mainly contributed by:
$20.5 million in recognized gain upon the divestiture of GEA;
A goodwill impairment loss of $5.4 million attributable to WalletKu;
A goodwill impairment loss of $9.5 million attributable to Tranglo;
Impairment of Intangible assets for TNG Asia and GEA of $5.6 million; and
An impairment loss of $3.2 million for the impairment of the intercompany balance.
EBITDA analysis
For the full-year period ended December 31, 2024
Tranglo
WalletKu
TNG Asia and GEA
Headquarters and adjustments
Group Total
(dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)
2,215
(1,137
)
(3,740
)
(36,165
)
(38,827
)
Add:
Income tax expenses
535
413
–
(370
)
578
Interest expense, net
27
1,762
6,726
8,515
EBIT
2,750
(697
)
(1,978
)
(29,809
)
(29,734
)
Depreciation and amortization
–
–
–
–
3,280
EBITDA
2,750
(697
)
(1,978
)
(29,809
)
(26,454
)
The Company’s total EBITDA for full year 2024 including TNG Asia and GEA was a loss of $26.5 million.
Tranglo and WalletKu’s combined EBITDA for 2024 was a profit of $2.05 million.
TNG Asia and GEA’s combined losses had no impact on the Company’s results from the fourth quarter of 2024 onwards as they were divested before the completion of the de-SPAC merger.
Headquarters expenses and adjustments recorded an EBIT loss of $29.8 million, mainly contributed by:
$20.9 million in “Operating Expenses” in recognition of the incentive shares granted upon completion of the de-SPAC merger;
$1 million in “Operating Expenses” in recognition of the shares granted to Roth for their services as Capital Market Advisor;
A loss of $3.2 million recognized as “Other Income/Loss” incurred by headquarters;
Headquarters’ legal expenses of $1.4 million, mostly related to the de-SPAC merger;
Intangible Asset amortization of $1.5 million attributable to Tranglo; and
Rental and general administrative expenses of around $1.8 million.
For the full-year period ended December 31, 2023
Tranglo
WalletKu
TNG Asia and GEA
Headquarters and adjustments
Group Total
(dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)
2,659
(837
)
(4,835
)
(11,405
)
(14,418
)
Add:
Income tax expenses
843
50
–
(370
)
523
Interest expense, net
–
–
3,057
4,946
8,003
EBIT
3,502
(787
)
(1,778
)
(6,829
)
(5,892
)
Depreciation and amortization
–
–
–
–
3,817
EBITDA
3,502
(787
)
(1,778
)
(6,829
)
(2,075
)
Net loss was US$38.8 million for the full year of 2024, mainly contributed by the net loss of $36.2 million incurred by headquarters and adjustments, as well as a combined net loss of $3.7 million contributed by TNG Asia and GEA.
______________________________ 1 CURRENC divested TNG Asia and GEA in August 2024 and July 2024, respectively. As such, from the fourth quarter of 2024 onward, only Tranglo’s (digital remittance and global airtime transfer businesses) and WalletKu’s (Indonesian airtime business) results will be consolidated and reported in the Company’s financial statements.
Management Comments “2024 was a year of evolution and transformation for CURRENC,” said Alex Kong, Founder and Executive Chairman of CURRENC. “In our first months as a publicly listed company, we took decisive steps to streamline our organization and focus on core strengths while also moving into the AI space. Through our cutting-edge AI initiatives such as SEAMLESS AI Call Centre Solutions and AI Staff for Hire, we now offer comprehensive AI solutions for financial institutions to revolutionize their operational platforms and efficiently transform their businesses. As these products broaden our market reach, we expect to seize rising cross-selling opportunities and realize substantial synergies with our remittance business, propelling the Company’s holistic growth. Moreover, our planned 500MW hyperscale AI Data Center in Malaysia and the $100 million CURR-ARC AI Fund will accelerate our AI business’s development while driving industry-wide progress. We are confident these strategic efforts will cement our leadership in AI-powered fintech and create lasting value for our shareholders, partners, and end-users worldwide.”
Ronnie Hui, Chief Executive Officer of CURRENC, added, “Our mainstream digital remittance business remained resilient in 2024, demonstrated by consistent TPV growth. This growth resulted in a 6.4% increase in total remittance revenues despite the ongoing decline in overall take rate due to intense market competition. Going forward, we aim to maintain the overall take rate and drive further increases in TPV, boosting remittance revenue growth. Meanwhile, as we sign new clients for our AI services, we will build on these partnerships to expand our remittance business into new geographical markets and sectors, further accelerating its development. On a Group level, while we recorded an EBIDTA loss for full year 2024, this was largely due to non-cash headquarters expenses such as incentive share expenses and goodwill impairment losses, as well as de-SPAC merger expenses. Our fundamentals remain strong and we do not expect to incur such expenses in future years. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, we are excited to unlock the Company’s growth potential as we advance our transformation from a leading regional remittance hub to a global AI pioneer.”
Recent Developments 1. CURRENC Debuts SEAMLESS AI Call Centre Solutions (January 8, 2025) CURRENC introduced “Text AI,” “Voice AI,” and “Avatar AI” to enable 24/7, cost-effective virtual support for financial institutions, government agencies, and telecom providers. These tools handle everything from routine inquiries to advanced KYC processes, increasing efficiency and enhancing customer satisfaction. The suite is available in over ten languages and easily integrates into mobile apps, delivering real-time conversation and multilingual support. SEAMLESS AI also offers an avenue to expand into debt collection, marketing, and other enterprise-driven use cases.
2. CURRENC to Develop 500MW Hyperscale AI Data Center in Malaysia (March 18, 2025) The Company plans to acquire 100 acres of land in Johor, Malaysia, to build one of Southeast Asia’s largest AI data centers, with Phase 1 (100MW) slated for completion by the end of 2026. The campus will offer co-location and wholesale leasing to hyperscalers, enterprise clients, and other data center users, supporting financial institutions as they adopt AI at scale. Construction will begin once long-term anchor tenants commit to a significant portion of planned capacity. Management expects this AIDC to bolster the Company’s AI offerings and reduce barriers to AI deployment worldwide.
3. CURRENC Group and ARC Group Jointly Launch $100 Million AI-Focused Infrastructure & Investment Fund (March 18, 2025) CURR-ARC AI Fund 1 aims to invest in AI data centers (AIDC), green energy, and computing power development globally. Eighty percent of the Fund’s capital will go toward AI computing power and infrastructure projects, including CURRENC’s planned 500MW AIDC in Malaysia. The remaining 20% will focus on emerging enterprises in AI ecosystems, fintech, and AI-driven solutions. This partnership supports CURRENC’s broader strategy to create a sustainable ecosystem that drives global AI and fintech innovation.
4. CURRENC’s SEAMLESS AI Lab Unveils “AI Staff for Hire” Platform (March 27, 2025) “AI Staff for Hire” is a new AI-powered solution featuring pre-built Agents tailored to key finance industry tasks, including customer support, KYC, compliance, and HR management. These Agents allow businesses to scale their operations without expanding headcount, providing 24/7 multilingual service and real-time analytics for improved engagement. This launch marks a major step in CURRENC’s strategy to revolutionize global financial services through AI, building on the success of SEAMLESS AI Call Centre Solutions. CURRENC also expects to onboard new clients in emerging markets, creating synergy by cross-selling digital remittance and airtime transfer services.
5. CURRENC Empowers Coin Cove with AI-Powered Electronic Banking Services Platform (March 27, 2025) CURRENC has secured a groundbreaking contract to provide Coin Cove with a comprehensive, AI-driven solution set, encompassing a multi-asset trading platform, SEAMLESS AI Call Centre technology, training, compliance, and MasterCard issuance. Coin Cove’s platform will leverage “AI Staff for Hire,” allowing for 24/7 personalized customer support and automated staff training. By integrating advanced risk management and real-time market insights, this initiative enhances user experience and strengthens compliance. This partnership marks CURRENC’s continued expansion into global electronic banking, with plans to cross-sell its remittance services and further shape the future of AI-driven financial solutions.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, it uses EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure as described below, to understand and evaluate its core operating performance. This non-GAAP financial measure, which may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies, is presented to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.
EBITDA is defined as net loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. CURRENC believes that EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results. This non-GAAP financial measure eliminates the impact of items that CURRENC does not consider indicative of the performance of its business. While CURRENC believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful in evaluating its business, this information should be considered supplemental in nature and is not meant as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
About CURRENC Group Inc. CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) is a fintech pioneer dedicated to transforming global financial services through artificial intelligence (AI). The Company empowers financial institutions worldwide with comprehensive AI solutions, including SEAMLESS AI Call Centre and other AI-powered Agents designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency and boost customer satisfaction for banks, insurance, telecommunications companies, government agencies and other financial institutions. The Company’s digital remittance platform also enables e-wallets, remittance companies, and corporations to provide real-time, 24/7 global payment services, advancing financial access across underserved communities.
For additional information, please refer to the CURRENC website https://www.currencgroup.com and the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
Investor & Media Contact CURRENC Group Investor Relations Email: investors@currencgroup.com
SOURCE: CURRENC Group Inc.
CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Full year ended December 31,
2024
2023
US$
US$
Revenue
46,435,412
53,255,361
Cost of revenue
(31,843,467
)
(35,899,057
)
Gross profit
14,591,945
17,356,304
Selling expenses
(13,408
)
(25,880
)
General and administrative expenses
(41,954,296
)
(23,976,209
)
Loss from operations
(27,375,759
)
(6,645,785
)
Finance costs, net
(8,515,214
)
(8,002,552
)
Other income
(2,193,865
)
839,606
Other expenses
(163,621
)
(85,574
)
Loss before income tax
(38,248,459
)
(13,894,305
)
Income tax expense
(578,303
)
(523,481
)
Net loss
(38,826,762
)
(14,417,786
)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
(648,559
)
(888,764
)
Net loss attributable to CURRENC Group Inc.
(39,475,321
)
(15,306,550
)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted (1)
$
(1.03
)
$
(0.45
)
Shares used in net loss per share computation, basic and diluted (1)
38,163,168
33,980,753
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(209,531
)
10,608
Total comprehensive loss
(39,036,293
)
(14,407,178
)
Total comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests
(649,980
)
(871,614
)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to CURRENC Group Inc.
(39,686,273
)
(15,278,792
)
(1)
Retrospectively restated to reflect Reverse Recapitalization
CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
US$
US$
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
63,821,397
48,516,765
Short-term investments
–
300,000
Restricted cash
40,742
5,428,790
Accounts receivable, net
2,115,681
2,450,871
Prepayments to remittance agents
–
137,854
Escrow money receivable
–
5,014,829
Amounts due from related parties
560,823
7,287,376
Prepayments, receivables and other assets
24,738,392
34,225,239
Total current assets
91,277,035
103,361,724
Non-current assets:
Investment in an equity security
–
100,000
Equipment and software, net
1,055,520
1,016,490
Right-of-use asset
349,240
154,234
Intangible assets
3,386,117
9,191,713
Goodwill
12,059,428
27,001,383
Deferred tax assets
342,822
664,888
Total non-current assets:
17,193,127
38,128,708
Total assets
108,470,162
141,490,432
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Borrowings
20,150,058
17,804,093
Receivable factoring
258,415
423,483
Escrow money payable
–
360,207
Client money payable
–
4,645,290
Accounts payable, accruals and other payables
59,119,916
53,988,231
Amounts due to related parties
67,697,074
86,488,519
Convertible bonds and notes
1,750,000
10,000,000
Lease liabilities
171,909
152,325
Total current liabilities
149,147,372
173,862,148
Non-current liabilities:
Borrowings
–
2,506,974
Deferred tax liabilities
876,912
1,246,760
Employee benefit obligation
45,289
59,849
Lease liabilities
156,647
–
Total non-current liabilities:
1,078,848
3,813,583
Total liabilities
150,226,220
177,675,731
Commitments and contingencies
Mezzanine equity
–
2,957,948
Shareholders’ deficit:
Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 550,000,000 shares authorized; 46,527,999 and 33,980,753 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) (1)
4,653
3,398
Additional paid-in capital (1)
65,638,838
29,227,005
Accumulated deficit
(131,522,902
)
(92,075,379
)
Accumulated other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income
(108,122
)
88,366
Total shareholders’ deficit attributable to CURRENC Group Inc.
(65,987,533
)
(62,756,610
)
Non-controlling interests
24,231,475
23,613,363
Total deficit
(41,756,058
)
(39,143,247
)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ deficit
108,470,162
141,490,432
(1)
Retrospectively restated to reflect Reverse Recapitalization
CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
Years ended December 31,
2024
2023
US$
US$
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
(38,826,762
)
(14,417,786
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Non-cash expense for share-based compensation
20,869,721
—
Non-cash expense for share issued for service providers
1,000,000
—
Non-cash offering costs for convertible note
2,512,000
—
Non-cash finance cost for debt conversion
340,159
—
Amortization of discount on convertible bonds
—
807,860
Depreciation of equipment
525,295
607,138
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
185,107
183,198
Amortization of intangible assets
2,186,175
3,200,843
Reversal of provision for doubtful debts
143,748
—
Impairment loss on receivables
3,158,042
—
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries
(21,738,102
)
—
Goodwill impairment
14,941,955
—
Deferred income taxes
127,660
494,737
Gain on disposal of fixed assets
—
(36,519
)
Unrealized foreign exchange loss/(gain)
(659,467
)
(65,981
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
140,559
605,202
Prepayments to remittance agents
98,603
(45,631
)
Amounts due to immediate holding company
(393,227
)
(391,432
)
Amounts due from related parties
4,183,438
(5,348,525
)
Prepayments, receivables and other assets
7,980,401
2,502,972
Escrow money payable
10,386
80,006
Client money payable
(416,711
)
(1,593,194
)
Accounts payable, accruals and other payables
14,220,717
(4,827,110
)
Amounts due to related parties
(6,925,748
)
3,149,825
Lease liabilities
(213,709
)
(192,097
)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
3,450,240
(15,286,494
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(576,674
)
(291,856
)
Proceed received from disposal of property, plant and equipment
—
36,679
Decrease in short-term investments
—
1,700,000
Cash acquired from business combination
43,508
—
Acquisition of a subsidiary
(31,868
)
—
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
(565,034
)
1,444,823
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings
640,935
1,251,752
Repayment of borrowings
(221,258
)
(2,212,067
)
Proceeds from receivable factoring
2,030,659
2,210,415
Repayment of receivable factoring
(2,183,787
)
(2,447,748
)
Proceeds from convertible bonds
1,750,000
—
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
2,016,549
(1,197,648
)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
4,901,755
(15,039,319
)
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and escrow money receivable at beginning of year
58,960,384
73,999,703
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and escrow money receivable at end of year
63,862,139
58,960,384
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes received/(paid)
(445,530
)
761,333
Interest paid
(1,073,407
)
(1,819,174
)
CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
EBITDA Analysis for the Full Year of 2024 and 2023
For the full year period ended December 31, 2024
Tranglo2
WalletKu3
TNG Asia and GEA1
Headquarters and adjustments
Group Total
(dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)
2,215
(1,137
)
(3,740
)
(36,165
)
(38,827
)
Add:
Income tax expenses
535
413
–
(370
)
578
Interest expense, net
27
1,762
6,726
8,515
EBIT
2,750
(697
)
(1,978
)
(29,809
)
(29,734
)
Depreciation and amortization
–
–
–
–
3,280
EBITDA
2,750
(697
)
(1,978
)
(29,809
)
(26,454
)
For the full year period ended December 31, 2023
Tranglo2
WalletKu3
TNG Asia and GEA
Headquarters and adjustments
Group Total
(dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)
2,659
(837
)
(4,835
)
(11,405
)
(14,418
)
Add:
Income tax expenses
843
50
–
(370
)
523
Interest expense, net
–
–
3,057
4,946
8,003
EBIT
3,502
(787
)
(1,778
)
(6,829
)
(5,892
)
Depreciation and amortization
–
–
–
–
3,817
EBITDA
3,502
(787
)
(1,778
)
(6,829
)
(2,075
)
1 TNG Asia and GEA were divested in August 2024 and July 2024, respectively. 2 Tranglo maintained a positive EBITDA for the full year of 2024 and 2023. 3 Tranglo and WalletKu maintained a combined positive EBITDA for the full year of 2024 and 2023.
A Palestinian advocacy group has called on NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters to take a firm stand for international law and human rights by following the Maldives with a ban on visiting Israelis.
Maher Nazzal, chair of the Palestine Forum of New Zealand, said in an open letter sent to both NZ politicians that the “decisive decision” by the Maldives reflected a “growing international demand for accountability and justice”.
He said such a measure would serve as a “peaceful protest against the ongoing violence” with more than 51,000 people — mostly women and children — being killed and more than 116,000 wounded by Israel’s brutal 18-month war on Gaza.
Since Israel broke the ceasefire on March 18, at least 1630 people have been killed — including at least 500 children — and at least 4302 people have been wounded.
The open letter said:
Dear Prime Minister Luxon and Minister Peters,
I am writing to express deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to urge the New Zealand government to take a firm stand in support of international law and human rights.
Palestinian Forum of New Zealand chair Maher Nazzal at an Auckland pro-Palestinian rally . . . “New Zealand has a proud history of advocating for human rights and upholding international law.” Image: Asia Pacific Report
The Maldives has recently announced a ban on Israeli passport holders entering their country, citing solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemnation of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This decisive action reflects a growing international demand for accountability and justice.
New Zealand has a proud history of advocating for human rights and upholding international law. In line with this tradition, I respectfully request that the New Zealand government consider implementing a temporary suspension on the entry of Israeli passport holders. Such a measure would serve as a peaceful protest against the ongoing violence and a call for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilian lives.
I understand the complexities involved in international relations and the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels. However, taking a stand against actions that result in significant civilian casualties and potential violations of international law is imperative.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and urge you to consider this request seriously. New Zealand’s voice can contribute meaningfully to the global call for peace and justice.
Sincerely, Maher Nazzal Chair Palestine Forum of New Zealand
JUST IN: 🇲🇻🇮🇱 Maldives President officially signs the law banning Israelis from entering the country. pic.twitter.com/rKRnlEw6WK
President Mohamed Muizzu signed the legislation after it was passed on Monday by the People’s Majlis, the Maldivian parliament.
Muizzu’s cabinet initially decided to ban all Israeli passport holders from the idyllic island nation in June 2024 until Israel stopped its attacks on Palestine, but progress on the legislation stalled.
A bill was presented in May 2024 in the Maldivian parliament by Meekail Ahmed Naseem, a lawmaker from the main opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party, which sought to amend the country’s Immigration Act.
The cabinet then decided to change the country’s laws to ban Israeli passport holders, including dual citizens. After several amendments, it passed this week, more than 300 days later.
“The ratification reflects the government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” Muizzu’s office said in a statement.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Sunday that at least 1,613 Palestinians had been killed since 18 March, when a ceasefire collapsed, taking the overall death toll since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023 to 50,983.
The ban went into immediate effect.
“The Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” the statement added.
Last year, in response to talk of a ban, Israel’s Foreign Ministry advised its citizens against travelling to the country.
The Maldives, a popular tourist destination, has a population of more than 525,000 and about 11,000 Israeli tourists visited there in 2023 before the Israeli war on Gaza began.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
News story
G7 foreign ministers’ statement marking 2 years since the beginning of Sudan war
G7 foreign ministers gave a joint statement marking 2 years since the beginning of the war in Sudan.
Joint statement:
We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, unequivocally denounce the ongoing conflict, atrocities and grave human rights violations and abuses in Sudan, as the world marks two years since the beginning of the devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
As a direct result of the actions of the SAF and the RSF, the people of Sudan, especially women and children, are enduring the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises, and continued atrocities, including widespread conflict-related sexual violence, ethnically motivated attacks and reprisal killings. These must end immediately.
We strongly condemn the RSF attacks carried out in and around El Fasher on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk IDP camps, which have caused numerous casualties, including humanitarian workers. Civilians must be protected and allowed safe passage.
As famine continues to spread across Sudan, G7 members are disturbed by reports of the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and reiterate that such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law.
We call on the warring parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, which include the crucial responsibility to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military targets.
We call on all parties to the conflict to lift impediments to effective crossline humanitarian assistance, provide assurances of safety and security for local and international humanitarian actors, and allow humanitarian access through all border crossings into Sudan, including through South Sudan and Chad. We recognize the important role of Emergency Response Rooms in providing for and protecting civilians and call for their protection. We further call on all parties to refrain from attacks on critical infrastructure that civilians rely upon, including dams and telecommunications systems.
We call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urge both the SAF and the RSF to engage meaningfully in serious, constructive negotiations. All external actors must cease any support that further fuels the conflict, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles adopted at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries in Paris in 2024 and the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur. We condemn all violations and unlawful attacks by the SAF, the RSF, and their allied militias.
For sustainable peace in Sudan, any resolution to the conflict must be rooted in the voices of Sudanese civilians. Women, youth, and civil society must be meaningfully included in all peace processes.
We reaffirm our support for a democratic transition and express our solidarity with the people of Sudan in their efforts to shape the future of their country that reflects their aspirations for freedom, peace and justice.
The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan are paramount.
G7 members remain committed to deepening collective diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and secure an end to the conflict, including through the London Sudan Conference.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement in celebration of Flag Day 2025, which marks 125 years of American Samoa’s official relationship with the United States.
Flag Day historic photo
“Flag Day is a wonderful tradition in American Samoa, and this year has added significance as the 125th Flag Day. Our forefathers in 1900, led by our Matai chiefs of the time, came together in agreement with the U.S., and raised the U.S. flag on Tutuila Island. Just four years later Manu’a also joined the U.S. in 1904. Together, these decisions changed the course of our history, and secured generations of potential opportunities that our people can choose.
“Because of this, we are today part of a great and free country that is a worldwide influence for the cause of freedom, constitutional democratic government and elections, human rights and dignity, all of which we cherish. We honor the people of the U.S. for generations of exceptional charitable giving throughout the world in times of severe need and disasters, supporting emergency response both publicly and privately with a generous spirit.
“For more than 80 years, since the U.S. entered World War II, the nation has had enormous leadership responsibility within the free world, that depends on a strong, mobile military backed by a powerful economy. Especially since World War II and before, American Samoa has been part of that story with a strong tradition of patriotic service, and we honor our many Veterans and Service Members for their distinguished part in making our Flag Day special.
“Our Flag Day is a tradition that is uniquely ours, as we celebrate in the Samoan way, honoring our ancient culture and language, while the reason we celebrate is American, honoring our deep patriotic ties to the United States. God bless American Samoa and the USA!
