Chamber News & Policy Work 2018-19

The Chamber works closely with business bodies and government to facilitate business opportunities on behalf of our members. We seek to further enhance Hong Kong’s standing and effectiveness as an international business centre.

2019 British Chamber Policy Matching

21/10/2019

Last week The Chief Executive presented her Policy Address, entitled “Treasure Hong Kong: Our Home”. As you know, every year the Chamber draws up a paper, ahead of her Policy Address, putting forward the Chamber’s key policy recommendations for the Chief Executive and the administration. This submission draws on the huge range of practical expertise and. knowledge across the Chamber membership, in particular in the Chamber’s specialist Committees. We back this up with regular closed door meetings with senior members of the administration; and with stand alone policy or position papers.

Click here to read the Chairman's message

Click here to view the policy matching document

Council for Sustainable Development’s Public Engagement

04/10/2019

In September the Chamber submitted its response to the Council for Sustainable Development’s Public Engagement on Long-term Decarbonisation Strategy.

To read the full submission please click here.

British Chamber issues Cancer Care White Paper to Government

23/08/2019

In February 2019, the Chamber formed a sub-committee on cancer care to explore the challenges patients here face in accessing and financing cancer services, including prevention, screening and treatment. The Committee undertook a metanalysis of all patient-facing studies conducted over a twenty-year period, met stakeholders in the healthcare community including NGOs and delivery organisations, and appraised international approaches to care delivery. 

The findings from this study, together with proposed solutions, are outlined in the White Paper which is available to read here.

British Chamber 2019/20 Policy Address Submission

19/07/2019

On Friday 19th July, the Chamber issued its annual Policy Address Submission.

The 2019/20 Policy Address submission outlines the Chamber’s key priority policy recommendations for the Chief Executive and her administration.

With a theme of “Rebuilding Trust and Business Confidence” the Chamber notes that the events concerning the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance have had a significant impact on Hong Kong’s reputation as an international business centre, and while key institutions proved their resilience, the medium to long-term position of Hong Kong as an international business gateway needs to be reinforced and repositioned. 

To discuss how to get involved with and find out more about the Chamber’s policy and advocacy work please email the Chamber team at membership@britcham.com.

Click here to view the document.

British Business Associations Form Greater Bay Area Business Network

18/06/2019

The British Chambers of Commerce in Hong Kong and southern China, the British Chamber of Commerce in Macao, the China-Britain Business Council, and the Confederation of British Industry Beijing Office, meeting in Shenzhen on 14 June, agreed in principle to form an inter-organisation working-group on the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Initiative.

Senior representatives of the organisations agreed to collaborate in areas such as, sharing information and insights, joint member events, and arranging business exchanges between member companies across the GBA. The group will look to work together to develop policy recommendations to offer to governments and regulators across the region, as well as working with the British Government and relevant departments to help member companies, and British business more widely, understand and access the business opportunities arising from the GBA initiative. 

Click here to read more.

Click here to see the coverage in the South China Morning Post. 

British Chamber Comments on the Extradition Bill

Commented on 16/06/19: "The British Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Chief Executive’s announcement on 15 June that consideration of the proposed Fugitive Offenders Ordinance is to be suspended. We have no difficulty with the principle of extradition legislation. But as any such legislation would have wide ranging implications, including for international business in Hong Kong, it warrants the widest possible consultation to build consensus, consider amendments and ensure the outcome is consistent with One Country Two Systems."

British Chamber Annual General Meeting Announcement 2019

05/06/2019

The British Chamber held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 5 June 2019. Peter Burnett, Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong Ltd was re-elected as Chairman of the Chamber for 2019 - 2020. 
 
The meeting also saw Anne Kerr, Mott MacDonald, re-elected as Vice-Chair and Jeremy Sheldon, Jones Lang LaSalle Ltd, elected as a new Vice Chair, with Rupert Hogg, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited stepping down as Vice Chair, although remaining on the Committee. Simon Donowho will also be stepping down as Treasurer having served for four and a half years. Paul McSheaffrey, KPMG will be joining as the new Treasurer. Chris Harvey, Accenture is also stepping down as we welcome Catherine Li, Atkins.

To read the full press release, click here.

To read the Chairman's full report, click here.

Doing Business in Hong Kong and Macau Guide

27/05/2019

The ‘Doing Business in Hong Kong and Macau Guide’ is now officially live and the Chamber is pleased to have been a part of this great project. 

The main objective of this Doing Business in Hong Kong and Macau Guide is to provide you with basic knowledge about Hong Kong and Macau; an overview of its economy, business culture, potential opportunities and to identify the main issues associated with initial research, market entry, risk management and cultural and language issues. We do not pretend to provide all the answers in the guide, but novice exporters in particular will find it a useful starting point. Further assistance is available from the Department for International Trade (DIT) team in Hong Kong and Macau. 

Click below to view the press release and links to the full guide.

The British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Annual General Meeting 2019

06/05/2019

The Chamber will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 5 June 2019 at 5:30pm in the Harcourt Suite of The Hong Kong Club, 1 Jackson Road, Central.

1. To receive the annual report of the General Committee.
2. To receive the annual statement of accounts.
3. To elect Members for the General Committee of The British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong in accordance with the Articles of Association adopted by the Members of the Chamber at an            Extraordinary General Meeting held on Wednesday 20 September 1995.
4. To elect the Auditors and to fix their remuneration or determine the manner in which such remuneration is to be fixed.
5. To transact further business of which notice has been received in writing by the Secretary no later than 5:00pm on 6 May 2019.

To see the full notice, please click here.

Candidates’ profiles for the the General Committee of 2019 - 2020 can be viewed here.

Letter to Financial Secretary Paul Chan - Reform of Taxation of Spirits

30/01/2019

The British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong's letter to Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, to add full support to the proposal made by the Wines and Spirits Business Council of the European Chamber to reform Hong Kong's excise tax system for spirits. 

Click here to download the file.

Response to The Law Society Consultation on Amendments to the Foreign Lawyers Registrations Rules

27/11/2018

The British Chamber, led by the Business Policy Unit, has submitted a response to the Law Society’s consultation on amendments to the FLRR – Cap. 159S.

Click here to download the file.

Statement Regarding the Non-renewal of Victor Mallet’s Work Visa

12/10/2018

The British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong is a strong supporter of, and advocate for, Hong Kong as an international business centre. The Chamber is also a firm supporter of Hong Kong’s special status as part of China under the One Country Two Systems arrangements.

The Chamber has noted the decision not to renew the work visa of Victor Mallet of the Financial Times, and the concerns this raises about freedom of expression and information in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms under One Country Two Systems, including of speech, expression and information, along with the rule of law, are core features of its special status.

Click here to read the full statement.

Chamber Submits its Response to the Task Force on Land Supply Public Engagement.

10/09/2018

The Chamber, in collaboration with a number of its committees, has submitted its response to the Public Engagement exercise on Land Supply. We believe no single option laid out by the Task Force will provide the land Hong Kong requires, as such a combination of options or parts of options will be needed and it will be essential that a holistic view is taken across a range of options, rather than each be pursued individually.

We encourage individuals and companies to respond to the Public Engagement via the online questionnaire, or by sending a written submission to the Secretariat at tfls@devb.gov.hk.

Click here to read the full statement.

Letter to Development Bureau regarding the Security of Payment Legislation ('SOPL')

02/08/2018

The Chamber’s Construction Industry Group sent the following letter to the Development Bureau regarding the 'Report on Public Consultation on the Proposed Security of Payment Legislation for the Construction Industry' dated April 2016, encouraging the administration to introduce the draft legislation as soon as possible.

Click here to download the file

British Chamber 2018 Policy Address Submission

11/07/2018

The 2018/19 Policy Address submission outlines the Chamber’s key priority policy recommendations for the Chief Executive and her administration.

With a theme of “Building Momentum and Embracing Innovation in a Rapidly Developing Regional Landscape” the Chamber welcomes the more activist approach the Administration has made and its emphasis on Government as a ‘facilitator’ and ‘promotor’ of Hong Kong both locally and internationally.

The Chamber also notes with increasing regional competition, and the strategic opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area initiative, the Administration must have a compelling vision for Hong Kong that is combined with policy initiatives that continue to attract businesses and talent, and embrace innovation.

The Chamber is a champion of Hong Kong and looks forward to continuing to work with the Administration in promoting the SAR as the best place to do business in the region.

To discuss how to get involved with and find out more about the Chamber’s policy and advocacy work please email the Chamber team at membership@britcham.com.

Click here to download the file

Letter to Chief Executive for Central Harbourfront Site 3

03/05/2018

In February 2018, the Chamber submitted a letter to the Chief Executive on the development of the Central Harbourfront Site 3. This letter highlighted the opportunities the Central Harbourfront Site 3 presented to the community and included some of the Administration's key policy priorities to create a more inclusive, forward looking and liveable Hong Kong.

Click here to read the full letter.

Chamber Response to the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) Consultation Paper on “A Listing Regime for Companies from Emerging and Innovative Sectors”

23/03/2018

The British Chamber, led by the Financial Markets Committee has submitted a response to the HKEX’s consultation on revised “A Listing Regime for Companies from Emerging and Innovative Sectors”

The full response can be found here.

Chamber Response to Hong Kong Monetary Authority Revised Guideline on Authorisation of Virtual Banks

15/03/2018

The Chamber, led by the Financial Markets Committee and Innovation and Technology Committee, has submitted a response to the HKMA’s consultation on revised “Guideline on Authorisation of Virtual Banks”.

The full response can be found here.

Positions Paper: Hong Kong as an E-Commerce Fulfillment Hub 

16/01/2018

Click here to download file

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