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KT&G Social Welfare Foundation Sends “SangSang Withus” College Student Volunteer Group to Vietnam

– Contributes to education of future Vietnamese talent through practical support including learning environment improvement and teaching sessions

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KT&G Social Welfare Foundation’s college student volunteer group “SangSang Withus” team, consisting of 40 volunteers, visited Vietnam from the 8th to 17th.

KT&G Social Welfare Foundation's college student volunteer group
KT&G Social Welfare Foundation’s college student volunteer group “SangSang Withus” team is painting murals for a Vietnamese school

The SangSang Withus team visited Quoi Son Primary School in Ben Tre Province, and painted murals on school walls to provide a better learning environment for students. The team went on to host teaching sessions using self-devised learning tools and curriculums. Various exchange programs, including Korean culture-themed performances, Korean traditional games, and a sports day, were also organized for students.

The KT&G Social Welfare Foundation has been making social contributions in Vietnam since 2019. The foundation has built primary schools and improved infrastructure for health centers in locations including Ho Chi Minh City, Soc Trang Province, and Quang Nam Province, while sending dedicated volunteer teams to Vietnam to host teaching sessions. In 2019, the foundation has also supported health checkups and health surgeries for local Vietnamese residents.

Until now, a total of 200 volunteers over the course of 5 trips visited Vietnam to assist improving the learning environment for future Vietnamese talent. Overall, the foundation’s support totals to an approximate of $2 million.

A KT&G Social Welfare Foundation spokesperson said that he hopes “this trip contributes to the education of future Vietnamese talent” and that “the foundation will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a global citizen by continuing its practical social contributions and providing better learning environments for future Vietnamese talent.”

Recent Cold Snap Damages Coffee Plantations in Champasack

Recent Cold Snap Damages Coffee Plantations in Champasack
Recent Cold Snap Damages Coffee Plantations in Champasack

On 14 January, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Champasack Province reported significant damage to coffee plantations in Pak Song district caused by frost and fog over the past few days.

The cold snap, which affected both the crops and farmers’ livelihoods, has hit 37 families across 32.6 hectares of coffee fields. 

Among the hardest-hit areas are Houaysan village, where 13 families manage 11.7 hectares, and Setapoung Village, home to 15 families overseeing 7.6 hectares. 

Other affected villages include Nong Ya Thueng with six families and 7.3 hectares, and KM5 with three families and 6 hectares of damaged coffee crops.

In addition to these areas, a more recent survey by the Department revealed that frost and fog have extended their reach. The weather monitoring team, active between 11 to 14 January, identified further damage in Houay Set Village (20 families, 20 hectares), Kong Toun Village (9 families, 11 hectares), and Ka Touad Village (31 families, 7.8 hectares). Data collection continues as more areas report frost-related losses.

Farmers have shared their concerns that the frosty conditions are particularly severe in lowland areas, where the lack of shade trees has left crops vulnerable to the cold. This is not the first time the district has faced frost damage. According to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, previous incidents occurred between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019, leaving a long history of crop destruction.

Since the onset of the cold weather, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry has been closely monitoring the situation and advising farmers on measures to protect their crops. 

Among the strategies are creating smoke at various points in frost-prone areas, particularly low-lying or windy spots, and watering or shaking plants to help disperse fog. In addition, farmers are urged to cover their coffee plants with plastic to shield them from the chill, and to trim any damaged branches—especially those affected by more than 60 percent frost damage.

To help the plants recover, the Department also recommends applying foliar fertilizers to nourish the coffee trees and encourage healthy growth.

 

IBM and L’Oréal to Build First AI Model to Advance the Creation of Sustainable Cosmetics

PARIS and NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) and L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty company, announced a collaboration to leverage IBM’s generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology and expertise to uncover new insights in cosmetic formulation data, facilitating L’Oréal’s use of sustainable raw materials, for energy and material waste reductions. This unique effort will develop a custom AI foundation model engineered to significantly increase the ability of L’Oréal Research & Innovation teams to reach extra performance and consumer satisfaction in every cosmetic category and every region of the world. The formulation foundation model is believed to be a first-of-its-kind in the industry, redefining AI innovation at the intersection of beauty, chemistry and technology. 

IBM Corporation logo.
IBM Corporation logo.

The collaboration combines L’Oréal’s unparalleled expertise in cosmetic science with IBM’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies for scientific discoveries, to unlock a future where science and technology can inform or help prioritize solutions that are both ecologically responsible and innovative. To preserve Earth’s natural resources, it is critical to explore renewable, sustainably sourced raw materials when developing consumer products. This effort will contribute to helping L’Oréal meet its L’Oréal for the Future’s target of sourcing most of its product formulas based on bio-sourced materials and/or the circular economy by 2030. 

“As part of our Digital Transformation Program, this partnership will extend the speed and scale of our innovation and reformulation pipeline, with products always reaching higher standards of inclusivity, sustainability, and personalization”, declares Stéphane Ortiz, Head of Innovation Métiers & Product Development – L’Oréal Research & Innovation.

“Building on years of unique Beauty science expertise and of data structuring, this major alliance with IBM is opening a new exciting era for our innovation and development process”, said Matthieu Cassier, Chief Transformation & Digital Officer – L’Oréal Research & Innovation.

“This collaboration is a truly impactful application of generative AI, leveraging the power of technology and expertise for the good of the planet”, said Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow, Vice President Europe and Africa and Director IBM Research Zurich. “At IBM, we believe in the power of purpose-built, customized AI to help transform businesses. Using IBM’s latest AI technology, L’Oréal will be able to derive meaningful insights from their rich formula and product data to create a tailored AI model to help achieve their operational goals and continue creating high quality and sustainable products.”

“This alliance between highly specialized expertise in artificial intelligence and cosmetics seeks to revolutionize cosmetic formulation. It embodies the spirit of AI-augmented research, emphasizing sustainability and diversity”, declares Guilhaume Leroy-Méline, IBM Distinguished Engineer, Business Transformation Services CTO, IBM Consulting France.

The creation of this AI model will use a large number of formulations and component data points to accelerate multiple tasks to be performed by L’Oréal, including the formulation of new products, reformulation of existing cosmetics and optimization for scale-up production – tools that will better equip L’Oréal’s 4,000 researchers worldwide over the next several years. In addition, IBM Consulting will support L’Oréal in its aim to rethink and redesign the formulation discovery process. Understanding the behaviors of renewable ingredients in cosmetic formulas will help L’Oréal build out more sustainable product lines with greater inclusivity and personalization for its consumers around the world. 

Foundation models are a type of AI model trained on a broad set of unlabeled data, capable of performing various tasks and applying information from one situation to another. These models have significantly advanced the field of natural language processing (NLP) technology over the past several years, and IBM is pioneering applications of foundation models beyond language, in areas such as chemistry, time series and geospatial modalities. IBM’s AI technology has the potential to augment L’Oréal’s creativity in finding new cosmetic formulations to transform the beauty industry. L’Oréal, together with IBM’s expertise and technology, will help to shape a future where innovation meets sustainability, delivering products that will be as unique as the people who use them daily. 

About L’Oréal  

For 115 years, L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty player, has devoted itself to one thing only: fulfilling the beauty aspirations of consumers around the world. Our purpose, to create the beauty that moves the world, defines our approach to beauty as essential, inclusive, ethical, generous and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With our broad portfolio of 37 international brands and ambitious sustainability commitments in our L’Oréal for the Future programme, we offer each and every person around the world the best in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite plurality.  

With more than 90,000 committed employees, a balanced geographical footprint and sales across all distribution networks (e-commerce, mass market, department stores, pharmacies, perfumeries, hair salons, branded and travel retail), in 2023 the Group generated sales amounting to 41.18 billion euros. With 20 research centers across 11 countries around the world and a dedicated Research and Innovation team of over 4,000 scientists and 6,400 Digital talents, L’Oréal is focused on inventing the future of beauty and becoming a Beauty Tech powerhouse.  

More information on https://www.loreal.com/en/mediaroom 

About IBM 

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com 

Contacts :

Brittany Forgione
IBM
Brittany.Forgione@ibm.com

Stéphanie Glemot
IBM France
stephanie.glemot@ibm.com 

Hong Kong’s Flagship Financial Forum Guests Enjoy City’s Multi-Faceted Appeal with Tourism Board

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 January 2025 – To attract high-yield visitors to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) constantly promotes the development of Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism through elevating business travellers’ experience in Hong Kong, reinforcing the city’s position as the “World’s Meeting Place”. In line with this mission, and with the vision of the newly released “Development Blueprint for Hong Kong Tourism Industry 2.0”, Hong Kong’s “spirit of hospitality” was amply demonstrated for about 100 guests of Asia Financial Forum (AFF), the city’s flagship financial event that is the first in the region to kick-start the new year.

Phoebe Shing, Director of Business Development Team Lead, MICE of Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said, “The Tourism Blueprint 2.0 has reaffirmed that hospitality is also about creating a rich, and enjoyable experience for visitors. AFF, an established event launched by the HKSAR Government in 2007 and the first major event for Hong Kong on the 2025 events calendar, is the perfect platform for showcasing Hong Kong-style hospitality to an important audience of movers and shakers in the global financial field.”

Iconic Hong Kong experiences showcasing the city’s strengths beyond financial fields
The unique bleisure offerings showcased the city’s multi-faceted appeal perfect to add colour to any business event anytime. From the classic Peak Tram ride to Victoria Harbour cruise, and from the city’s traditional cultural immersion at Man Mo Temple to revitalised heritage tour at Tai Kwun, all are easy to explore seamlessly by event guests.

Classic Peak Tram & Sky Terrace 428 Visits for a perfect elevated panorama
Guests were transported from the buzzing conference hall to serene Peak views in less than 20 minutes, in an awe-inspiring journey on the funicular Peak Tram leading to a full experience of Sky Terrace 428 and a stroll to the Lion’s Point View Pavilion for stunning views. The group was also mesmerised by the Hong Kong-style snacks and toys at a corner store full of local nostalgia, taking pictures to recollect their memories in Hong Kong.

Asia Financial Forum guests on the funicular Peak Tram
Asia Financial Forum guests on the funicular Peak Tram

Asia Financial Forum guests at a corner store full of local nostalgia

Dr. Jochen Biedermann, Managing Director of World Alliance of International Financial Centres
Dr. Jochen Biedermann, Managing Director of World Alliance of International Financial Centres

Dr. Jochen Biedermann, Managing Director of World Alliance of International Financial Centres from Germany said, “Taking part in AFF for exchanges is for the mind, whereas joining the night tour to the Peak on the tram was a feast for the eyes. I enjoyed it very much. I was here like 10 years ago and it’s nice to be back. The Peak Tram station now is very modern, nicely illuminated and colourful. The Peak is definitely one of the most attractive points of Hong Kong for tourists and business people like me.”


Aqua Luna ride for stunning Victoria Harbour experience
Soon after the event concluded, guests were invited to cruise on characterful Aqua Luna red-sail junk boat, taking in breathtaking skyline views.

Asia Financial Forum guests on Aqua Luna
Asia Financial Forum guests on Aqua Luna



Prof Justin Yifu Lin, former Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of World Bank on Aqua Luna
Prof Justin Yifu Lin, former Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of World Bank on Aqua Luna

Marc Baghadjian, CEO & Co-founder of Hypercard American Express
Marc Baghadjian, CEO & Co-founder of Hypercard American Express

Marc Baghadjian, CEO & Co-founder of Hypercard American Express from New York said, “I love this Aqua Luna tour! Hong Kong is so special where everybody comes to this city to do business. When we’re in the room negotiating, you don’t see how beautiful parts of the city are. But when you take a tour like this (to see) the stunning Hong Kong skyline and (feel) the vibrancy of the city, you can see the Hong Kong dream here.”


Explore cultural heritage in Old Town Central

On the day after the event, the guests visited Man Mo Temple to pray for good fortune through a guided Gold Foil Paste Ceremony, followed by a guided tour to discover the city’s rich history represented at the Tai Kwun heritage site.

Asia Financial Forum guests at Man Mo Temple
Asia Financial Forum guest at Man Mo Temple

Asia Financial Forum guests at Tai Kwun
Asia Financial Forum guests at Tai Kwun


Felix Katterl, Partner of Soutien Group
Felix Katterl, Partner of Soutien Group

Felix Katterl, Partner of Soutien Group from Qatar said, “It is my first visit in Hong Kong. It is a very diverse city. The tours allowed me to learn more about Hong Kong’s history, Hong Kong’s heritage. I’ve been wishing for health, prosperity, well-being, and peace in the world when sticking the gold foil on the deer. For Tai Kwun, it doesn’t really look like a prison. It has been revitalised in a wonderful way with all these hospitality offerings, restaurants and bars. I really cannot wait to come back with my wife to show her this beautiful environment.”

Hashtag: #MEHK #TheWorldsMeetingPlace #MICE #HongKong #events #eventprof #businessevents #convention #AsianFinancialForum #AFF2025


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

World Wisdom Agriculture Technology Exploration, 2025 March focus on the World Irrigation Science and Technology Exhibition

BEIJING, Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — From March 31 to April 2, 2025, the 11th Beijing International Wisdom Agriculture and Irrigation Technology Expo and World Irrigation Technology Conference will be held in Beijing National Convention Center. At the same time, the third Beijing International Water Conservancy Science and Technology Expo will be held.

The conference is an innovation highland linking digital agriculture and irrigation technology at home and abroad, and is also the most professional and largest wisdom agriculture and irrigation exhibition in China. With an exhibition area of 30,000 square meters, 800 enterprises from 33 countries and regions around the world will display the world’s leading advanced equipment and technology, including 20 of the world’s top 500 enterprises and listed companies.

15,000 buyers from more than 10 countries and regions such as the United States, Italy, the Netherlands, Israel, Australia, Spain, France, Turkey, Cyprus, Japan and South Korea will visit and purchase.

In the same period, the Southeast Asia Agricultural Irrigation System Promotion Conference, the Silk Road-countries and Russia Agricultural Irrigation System Promotion Conference, the Beijing International Wisdom Agriculture Conference, the world’s first new technology and new products promotion conference, the global intelligent agricultural equipment innovation Ceremony and other activities will be held, bringing together the world’s agricultural cutting-edge technology and promote international trade cooperation.

If you want to know about this exhibition,welcome to visit our website: www.chinaite.com.cn

CONTACT: Taoran Hu, 463611470@qq.com

OSL Achieves SOC 2 Type 2 Certification for Second Consecutive Year and Transitions to Annual Issuance

  • The shift to annual issuance of the SOC 2 Type 2 report offers a more comprehensive view of control and operating effectiveness for data security.
  • The report has examined OSL’s custody, automated trading services (ATS), and software-as-a-service (SaaS) operations.

HONG KONG, Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OSL Digital Securities (OSL), a leading regulated digital asset platform and a member of OSL Group (863.HK), today announced the successful completion of its SOC 2 Type 2 report for the second consecutive year. The report includes the company’s custody, automated trading services (ATS), and software-as-a-service (SaaS) operations.

In line with industry best practices, OSL has extended the observation window of the SOC 2 Type 2 Report to 12 months. This change enables a more thorough and strategic evaluation of the controls and efficacy of its data security management, underscoring OSL’s strong dedication to transparency, compliance, and data protection. 

The SOC 2 Type 2 certification, conducted by a renowned Big Four accounting firm, highlights OSL’s high standards of security, availability, and confidentiality across its custody, ATS, and SaaS solutions. This certification provides important assurance to clients who require third-party validation to fulfill their due diligence and compliance requirements.

Kevin Cui, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of OSL, said: “Data security and protection are paramount in the digital asset industry. We have invested significantly into driving operational excellence and regulatory compliance, and maintaining our SOC 2 Type 2 certification is a key part of that commitment. Our ultimate goal is to continue leading and enhancing the security and compliance standards for our industry.”

SOC 2, which stands for “System and Organisation Controls 2”, is a framework that defines a set of rules and standards an organisation must follow to ensure the safety and security of the information it manages. It is an authoritative assurance report that is particularly vital for institutional clients, such as banks and audited firms.

About OSL

Backed by Asia’s leading public fintech and digital asset company, OSL Group (863.HK), formerly BC Technology Group, OSL is the world’s first SFC-licensed and insured digital asset platform. Founded in 2018, OSL has an established history in the sector and is recognised by many as the leader in providing comprehensive regulated and licensed digital asset solutions.

OSL offers Markets services (brokerage, exchange, and custody) and SaaS technology solutions, which deliver institutional clients in addition to professional and retail investors access to global liquidity through its best-in-class digital asset platform. OSL’s secured and insured hot and cold wallet infrastructure also ensures the safekeeping of digital assets with timely transaction settlements.

As the digital asset industry continues to evolve, so does OSL. OSL’s simple and tailored approach compliantly navigates international clients through the evolving digital assets environment.

For more information, visit: osl.com

PhotonPay Launches Google Pay Support for Mastercard Users in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Starting today, PhotonPay, a digital financial infrastructure, will support Google Pay, enabling cardholders to take advantage of simple and secure contactless payments and digital card storage on both Android devices and WearOS.

PhotonPay Launches Google Pay Support for Mastercard Users in Hong Kong
PhotonPay Launches Google Pay Support for Mastercard Users in Hong Kong

Using Google Pay also makes payments safer with multiple layers of security, adding to the protections already provided by your PhotonPay Mastercard Commercial Credit Card. This includes industry-standard tokenization, which means transactions made through Google Pay use a virtual card number (a token) instead of the actual card number. This token is device-specific and paired with a dynamic security code that changes with each transaction, adding an extra layer of protection against fraud.

Powered by Near Field Communication (NFC), tap-to-pay transactions enable secure, short-range wireless data exchange, ensuring fast and reliable payments for PhotonPay users. Additionally, Google Wallet’s privacy settings give users full control over their data, and the “Find My Device” feature ensures card and data security by allowing users to lock devices, reset passwords, or erase personal information remotely.

Chao Xu, Vice President of Products at PhotonPay, said, ” We’re thrilled to annouce PhotonPay’s integration with Google Pay. PhotonPay is still a powerful platform to manage all your cards in on and its integration with Google Pay enbles even more ways to pay in stores, online, and in-apps. With Google Pay and PhotonPay’s all-in-one card and customized tools, customers get to experience a simpler, rewarding way to manage their finances.”

Founded in 2015, PhotonPay offers global payment solutions to businesses with its innovative core products including Global Accounts, Card Issuing, Online Payments, Payouts, FX Management and Embedded Finance. It is committed to building a digital payment network to take the friction out of global payments and enhance operational efficiency for businesses operating on a global scale.

Add PhotonPay Mastercard Commercial Credit Card to Google Wallet

  1. Open the Google Wallet app or download it on Google Play
  2. Tap ‘Add to Wallet’ and follow the instructions
  3. Verify your card if needed. Then you’re all set!

To start using your PhotonPay Mastercard Commercial Credit Card with Google Pay, download Google Wallet on Google Play today.

For more information, visit the link: https://www.photonpay.com/en/

About PhotonPay

Founded in 2015, PhotonPay is a digital financial infrastructure provider offering global payment solutions to businesses. Our innovative core products include Global Accounts, Card Issuing, Online Payments, Payouts, FX Management and Embedded Finance. PhotonPay has become a Mastercard issuer in Hong Kong and the fintech card issuer in the Greater China region of Discover® Global Network.

With a strong compliance culture and technological innovation capabilities, PhotonPay is building a digital payment network to take the friction out of global payments and enhance operational efficiency for businesses operating on a global scale.

Headquarters in Hong Kong and providing localized services through nine international offices, PhotonPay partners with a network of top-tier banks and global financial institutions and serves more than 200,000 enterprises globally.

HKPC “ForeSight 2025” Explores Economic Future and Champions Sustainable Development in Hong Kong

Experts explore new economic opportunities presented by New Productive Forces, with a focus on comprehensive support for businesses

​​HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 January 2025 – ​As 2025 unfolds, the global economic landscape is being reshaped, with innovative technologies redefining industrial development. This marks a crucial period for Hong Kong, poised to spearhead future economic growth through innovation-driven productivity. Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) hosted its thought-provoking annual signature event, “ForeSight 2025” (the Forum) today, themed “Navigating the Future of Hong Kong’s Economy with New Productive Forces.” Professor Justin Yi-fu LIN, Dean of Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University, delivered the keynote speech to an audience of over 400 distinguished representatives from the technology, finance, and manufacturing sectors. The “ForeSight Leaders Panel” held later at the event had an in-depth discussion on how Hong Kong can harness New Productive Forces to foster sustainable economic development.

Guests of Honor, Guest Speakers, and HKPC Council Members officiate the opening of the “ForeSight 2025.”
Guests of Honor, Guest Speakers, and HKPC Council Members officiate the opening of the “ForeSight 2025.”

Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC, emphasised the crucial role of New Productive Forces in shaping Hong Kong’s economic future. He stated that the HKSAR Government is actively aligning with national development strategies, leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in fundamental research and its international standing to accelerate the development of New Productive Forces. This focus aims to foster emerging industries and transform traditional sectors. HKPC has launched the “New Productive Forces Service Platform,” designed to empower businesses, particularly SMEs, to capitalise on emerging opportunities, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to high-quality development.

Hon Sunny TAN added that the Forum featured a keynote speech by Professor Justin Yi-fu LIN, former Chief Economist of the World Bank, who has analysed Hong Kong’s distinct industrial advantages and development prospects from the perspective of “New Structural Economics,” exploring strategic pathways for Hong Kong to enhance New Productive Forces within the current global context. Furthermore, the Forum convened influential industry leaders to examine how Hong Kong can strategically deploy innovation and technology (I&T) to maximise its unique advantages in new industrialisation, facilitating SMEs’s global expansion, and strengthening intellectual property protection. Through this Forum, HKPC aims to equip businesses with the insights and tools necessary to seize innovative opportunities and contribute to a more prosperous Hong Kong.

Professor Justin Yifu LIN, Dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University, offered insights into Hong Kong’s unique advantages in developing new productive forces from the perspective of “New Structural Economics”. As the first scholar from a developing country to serve as the World Bank’s Chief Economist, Professor LIN noted that new productive forces stem from technological revolutions and industrial transformations, characterised by “high-end technology, high quality, and high efficiency.” To cultivate these forces, it is essential to foster emerging industries such as new energy, advanced materials, artificial intelligence (AI), electronic information, and biomedicine. Additionally, developing future industries like quantum computing and controlled nuclear fusion is crucial. This process also requires the effective integration of digitalisation, intelligent automation, and green technologies to enhance and upgrade traditional industries.

Professor LIN further emphasised that Hong Kong should adopt a pragmatic “build before breaking and adapt to local conditions” development strategy for fostering new productive forces. Leveraging its world-class educational resources, rich talent pool, and strong connections to the extensive manufacturing ecosystem in Mainland China, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to commercialize research and development outcomes and upgrade traditional industries. Hong Kong boasts a well-established innovation ecosystem that serves as a vital bridge between Mainland and global markets. This strategic advantage will enable Hong Kong to achieve significant breakthroughs in areas such as smart manufacturing and green finance, effectively capitalising on the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

ForeSight Leaders Panel Focuses on Innovative Development

The “ForeSight Leaders Panel”, moderated by media veteran Professor Vincent WONG Wing, focused on the pivotal question: “How New Productive Forces Can Propel Hong Kong’s Economy to New Heights.” Professor Simon WONG, Vice President of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA), highlighted the CMA’s initiatives to promote sustainable development among local businesses, encouraging SMEs to embrace digital transformation, and implement ESG principles to enhance competitiveness and foster sustainable economic growth. Mr Jude CHOW, Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), shared the FHKI’s successful collaboration with HKPC on environmentally friendly technology innovation projects. He reaffirmed FHKI’s commitment to facilitating industry collaboration through networking events, enabling Hong Kong businesses to capitalise on opportunities from the Belt and Road Initiative and the green economy for high-quality development. Dr Kang QU, Managing Director of Sustainability Strategy, Deputy General Manager of the Economics & Strategic Planning Department and Deputy Head of the Hong Kong Financial Research Institute at Bank of China (Hong Kong), underscored the crucial role of green finance in driving new productive forces. He pointed out the strong global demand for green investments and Hong Kong’s potential to attract substantial green capital by leveraging opportunities in Belt and Road Initiatives, with its robust financial system and leading green bond market.

HKPC Walks Hand-in-Hand with Industries

Looking ahead, HKPC will continue to empower businesses with advanced technologies to seize opportunities in this area. As the first institution selected to establish a Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) under the joint endorsement of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), HKPC will help businesses unlock their innovation potential. This includes support for creating, protecting, managing, and commercialising intellectual property, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a regional intellectual property trading hub. HKPC is also actively empowering SMEs to expand overseas by providing comprehensive support. This encompasses consultation on Government funding schemes, remote factory management, automation, ESG consulting, green solutions, and technical training to assist expansion into ASEAN and “Belt and Road” markets.

In this evolving landscape, HKPC will continue to work hand in hand with the industry, collaborate with various sectors including the Government, industry, academia, research, and investment to accelerate the transformation of research achievements and the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies. HKPC is committed to contributing to Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T hub, promoting New Productive Forces and new industrialisation.

Hashtag: #HongKongProductivityCouncil

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Hong Kong Productivity Council 

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute in 1967, to promote productivity excellence through relentless drive of world-class advanced technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises. As a nationwide leader in innovative, market-driven research and development (R&D) internationally, specialising in leading technologies and all-rounded manufacturing services, HKPC promotes new industrialisation in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area and facilitates the development of new productive forces, leveraging innovation and technology (I&T), as well as bolstering Hong Kong to be an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city. The Council offers comprehensive innovative solutions for Hong Kong industries and enterprises, enabling them to achieve resources and productivity utilisation, effectiveness, and cost reduction, and enhance competitiveness in both local and overseas marketplace. The Council partners and collaborates with local industries and enterprises and world-class R&D institutes to develop applied technology solutions for value creation. It also benefits a variety of sectors through product innovation, technology transfer, and commercialisation, bringing enormous business opportunities ahead. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades.

In addition, HKPC offers SMEs and startups immediate and timely assistance in coping with the ever-changing business environment and strengthens talent nurturing and Hong Kong’s competitiveness with FutureSkills training for enterprises and academia to enhance digital capabilities and STEM competencies. For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: .