Feb 9, 2023 | Business
A delegation of business leaders from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), led by the city’s Chief Executive and principal officials and organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week to strengthen existing business ties and develop new areas of collaboration in technology, sustainability and smart city development, in addition to traditional sectors of finance and trade.
With Hong Kong’s unrivalled access to China and Asia and the UAE’s role as a gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and European markets, the relationship between the two commercial centres is already providing important benefits to a range of businesses.
The arrival of the high-level business delegation, which comprises senior executives from Hong Kong’s financial institutions, financial regulators as well as major players in innovation and technology (I&T), sustainability and smart city solutions, will help accelerate the commercial ties between the HKSAR and the Emirates, and support the strategic development of the UAE, Hong Kong and mainland China.
The important strategic relationships, which exist between China and the UAE, are based on a shared backing for liberal trade policies, investment in cutting-edge technology, low tax regimes and backing for pro-business regulation.
A press conference was held on 8 February in Dubai, followed by a business forum and dinner in the presence of H.E. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, H.E. Mr Abdul-Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers and H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai International Chambers.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Mr John Lee said: “The UAE is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in the Middle East region. We treasure this long-standing relationship, and I believe that we can now take it to a higher level. That’s why I’m here, together with these business leaders from Hong Kong – some 30 strong – to tell you that our business and investment doors are wide open and welcoming for UAE companies and investors. For a world of opportunities.”
“The commercial and political ties between Hong Kong and the UAE are growing ever stronger. It is clear we both approach business in the same way, backing innovation, investing in technology and looking for sustainable solutions. This business mission to the UAE shows the depth of existing commercial relationships and the potential to do a lot more.”
In response, H.E. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi stressed the strength and durability of the strategic relations between the United Arab Emirates and the People’s Republic of China, which are witnessing continuous development, especially in the areas of economics and trade. The forward-looking and visionary leadership of the two countries is building a strong partnership, opening up new opportunities and broadening bilateral economic cooperation.
His Excellency added: “Strengthening investment and trade partnerships with Hong Kong supports the strategic cooperation between the UAE and China and contributes to opening new business fields, stimulating communication between the Emirati-Chinese business communities, especially in light of new economic opportunities”.
His Excellency continued: “The value of foreign trade between the UAE and Hong Kong amounted to about AED32 billion (US$8.7 billion) during the first 9 months of 2022, achieving a growth of 36% compared to the same period in 2021, while Hong Kong was among the top 10 trading partners for the UAE during 2021, with a contribution of more than 2% of the UAE’s total non-oil trade.”
His Excellency indicated that the forum represents an important step in supporting increased trade and enhancing prospects for bilateral cooperation in a wide range of sectors, especially shipping, logistics, the service sector and air transport. It maximises benefits for Emirati companies and their counterparts in Hong Kong.
HKTDC Chairman Dr Peter K N Lam mentioned in his opening remarks that “Dubai and Hong Kong are natural partners, when it comes to creating business opportunities. The signing of three MoUs* at our event tonight shows the tremendous potential for deeper collaboration. Creating business opportunities has been the work of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for over 55 years, and I am pleased to be part of these exciting times.”
Representing the business community in Dubai, H.E. Abdul-Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, commented: “I am proud to say that the UAE is the largest trading partner for Hong Kong in the Middle East. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Hong Kong reached AED22.2 billion in the first half of 2022, registering 16.2% growth compared to the first half of 2021. With the presence of our new international office in Hong Kong, I look forward to seeing continued collaboration with our Hong Kong counterparts and seeing the relationship between our countries thrive and prosper even more.”
In the trade delegation, Chief Executive Mr Lee is joined by three principal officials: Deputy Secretary of Justice Mr Horace Cheung, Secretary for Financial Services and Treasury Mr Christopher Hui and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Mr Algernon Yau.
Other business leaders from Hong Kong and the Emirates also exchanged views at a panel discussion yesterday. Chaired by Mr Yau, panel speakers included Mr Nicolas Aguzin, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd, Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and Chairman of the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Mr Horace Cheung, and H.E. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park (SRTIP) and H.E. Faisal Juma Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of Dubai International Chamber.
* 3 MOUs have been signed between:
– HKTDC and Dubai Chamber
– Ho & Partners Architects, Negawatt, Masdar City, and The Catalyst
– HKSTP and Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park
Hong Kong: Ready for business
As a two-way platform between China and the world and as one of the world’s top financial centres, Hong Kong has been supporting businesses and investors worldwide to tap into the vast China and Asia market as well as playing a major role in the global financial system with special connectivity to the China market.
As part of China, but operating under an international system, Hong Kong provides special access to and from the mainland in the flow of capital, goods, technology and people, as defined in the country’s national 14th Five-Year Plan. Hong Kong is also a commercial hub for the Belt and Road Initiative, a global development plan initiated by China, and part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) – an area in Southern China earmarked by the Chinese government as a powerhouse of capital, I&T and cultural exchange driving the country’s development.
With the city’s common law system, low tax regime, advanced infrastructure and connectivity and a long history as an international trade and business hub, Hong Kong is well-placed to support businesses from all over the world to invest and grow.
Recently, the HKSAR Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address 2022 the wide array of incentives and measures to attract international strategic enterprises and investments to Hong Kong, particularly in areas such as life sciences, health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, financial technology, advanced manufacturing and new energy technology.
Find out more about Hong Kong:
– Hong Kong: general facts https://tinyurl.com/Asias-world-city
– Hong Kong as a global financial centre https://tinyurl.com/Financial-Centre
– Hong Kong’s tech and innovation https://tinyurl.com/Tech-Innovation
– Hong Kong as the commercial hub for the Belt and Road Initiative https://tinyurl.com/Belt-and-Road
– Hong Kong as part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area https://tinyurl.com/Greater-Bay-Area
– Photo Download: https://bit.ly/40LxYMu
About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn.
Media enquiries
Credo Communications:
Habib Bacha, Tel: +971 (50) 111 3799, Email: habib.bacha@credocomms.com
HKTDC:
Sunny Ng, Tel: +852 2584 4357, Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org
Topic: Press release summary
Sep 20, 2022 | Business
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
GeM in collaboration with PIB organises GeM Seller Samvad in Bhubaneswar
Programme aims at sensitizing the stakeholders while improving the service delivery of GeM
Posted On:
20 SEP 2022 5:21PM by PIB Bhubaneshwar
The Government e-Marketing (GeM) place in collaboration with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Tuesday organized the GeM Seller Samvad in Bhubaneswar, an interactive session with the stakeholders of GeM to get their feedbacks and suggestions to further improve the service delivery of the digital platform.
The ‘Seller Samvad’ has been planned to interact with the GeM sellers in particular and make them aware about the new GeM features and functionalities that further make it conducive for them to operate on the portal. Through the Samvad, it was also planned to have these sellers speak about their experiences and share the same with others to learn from and get inspired.
Addressing the media, Dr. Girish Chandra Dash, Joint Director, PIB highlighted the importance and benefits of unified market under GeM as envisioned by Prime Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Anoop Dhanvijay, Director, Buyer Management, GeM, said that GeM has grown tremendously since past few years. “Lakhs of buyers and sellers are now connected with the GeM. With the growth, we need to sensitise people and improve its service delivery further for which programmes like this Seller Samvad is important,” he said.
The #GeMSellerSamvad has been organised in #Bhubaneswar,#Odisha today where sellers were sensitized on the functionalities and effectiveness of @GeM_India portal and how it is helping in social inclusion. An interactive session with the sellers was also organised on the occasion. pic.twitter.com/ia9r9ADX4k
— PIB in Odisha (@PIBBhubaneswar) September 20, 2022
An interactive session with the sellers has also been organized today wherein the sellers shared their experiences on GeM. “I have left a prestigious job and pursue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I have launched my startups and currently supplying education materials all over the country. In my journey, GeM helped a lot,” Pragyan Priyadarshini Chinara, a seller said.
Pragyan Chinara, a seller shared her experience of @GeM_India. Leaving a prestigious job, she launched her #Startup and presently supplying educational materials through #GeM all over #India.#GeMSamvad @CimGOI @PIB_India @PiyushGoyalOffc @startupindia @DoC_GoI @_DigitalIndia pic.twitter.com/PVxGqevbt5
— PIB in Odisha (@PIBBhubaneswar) September 20, 2022
During the Seller Samvad, another seller Mr. Priyabrat, shared his experience about GeM and said that it has provided a transparent and hassle free platform to do business and grow. “GeM has added a glitter to my business. It is on a tremendous growth path. GeM has not only worked as a tremendous tool to eradicate corruption but also abolishes the middle-men practice,” he said.
During the #GeMSellerSamvad at #Bhubaneswar, Mr. Priyabrat, a seller shared his experience about @GeM_India. He said #GeM gives a transparent & hassle free platform to do business and grow.@PiyushGoyal @CimGOI @DoC_GoI @_DigitalIndia @PIB_India @DDOdiaNews @airnews_cuttack pic.twitter.com/ALHnU07u5j
— PIB in Odisha (@PIBBhubaneswar) September 20, 2022
It can be mentioned here that ever since the inception of GeM, it has grown by leap and bounds. As per data, in Odisha alone, there are 1,11,931 registered vendors on GeM, which includes State Government, State PSUs, Central Government, Central PSUs among others. Total 15,323 MSME vendors from Odisha have been registered on GeM out of which 2,557 are women MSME vendors.
This is the fifth day of such Seller Samvad being organized by GeM across the country. Today, apart from Bhubaneswar, the Seller Sambads have been organized simultaneously at Patna and Ahmedabad. The aim of the Seller Samvad is to popularize the GeM portal while improving its service delivery by getting feedbacks and suggestions from its users.
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About GeM
Government e Marketplace (GeM), the National Public Procurement Portal of the country is an end-to-end online Marketplace for the procurement of goods and services. It was launched on August 9, 2016, as part of the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. GeM is known for redefining public procurement and has been able to bring about radical changes in the way procurement was done by Government buyers and public sector undertakings. GeM is contactless, paperless, and cashless and stands on three pillars viz. efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity.
It is noteworthy that GeM has surpassed the milestone of INR 1 Lakh Crore of procurement value, in a single fiscal year in FY 21-22. Cumulatively, GeM has facilitated over 1 Crore transactions valued at over INR 3.02 Lakh Crore. This has only been possible with the support of all stakeholders including buyers and sellers across the country.
Since its inception, GeM has been steadily growing with new product buy testosterone gel and service categories being added constantly. Currently, there are about 300 service categories and over 10000+ product categories available on GeM. These categories feature around 44 lakhs catalogues of product and service offerings. Further, GeM is an evolving platform and relentlessly works towards adding new features and functionalities to the portal. In line with this principle, approximately 2000 minor and 460+ major functionalities have been introduced in the last 24 months.
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(Release ID: 1860895)
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Aug 10, 2022 | Business
A US delegation of the premier National Science Foundation (NRF), currently on visit to India, today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed bilateral collaboration between the two countries as well as the ways to carry this collaboration to the next level.
Dr. Kendra Sharp, Head, Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE), National Science Foundation (NSF) of USA, Brian Stone, Chief of Staff, NSF, USA, Dr. Bridget Turaga Program Director, Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE), NSF, Drew Schufletowski, Minister Counselor for Economic, Environment, Science and Technology Affairs, United States Embassy in India, William Harford Chief of Environment, Science, and Technology Unit, United States Embassy and Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan Director, National Science Foundation of United States, among others, were part of the delegation joined the meeting.
During the delegation level talks, Dr Jitendra Singh said, both the sides have already identified the sectors and collaboration is on in areas like healthcare, technology, Space, earth and ocean science, energy, emerging technologies and cooperation in Science & Technology education. The Minister underlined that India and the United States have a long-standing connection and shared interest when it comes to scientific discovery and technological innovations and time has come to strengthen and leverage these connects for larger global good.
Director, National Science Foundation (NSF) of United States and head of the delegation Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan assured Dr Jitendra Singh that the subjects identified in the two-day brainstorming session would be taken to logical conclusion. He also promised to open new avenues of cooperation in areas like Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Geosciences and Astrophysics.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always accorded highest priority to scientific pursuits and takes keen personal interest in each of the subjects. He said, since 2014, in every Independence Day speech, PM Modi has flagged key scientific challenges and projects like Cleanliness, Hydrogen Mission, Digital Health Care system, clean energy, net zero emission and Start-ups.
Dr Jitendra Singh told the NSF delegation that both sides must focus on meaningful, targeted, deliverable-driven R&D partnerships in technology areas such Quantum, Metaverse, Clean Energy Technologies, Cyber-Physical Systems, Advanced Materials and Communications Technologies. The Minister pointed out that the Indian Scientific diaspora is one of the world’s largest and powerful diaspora communities in shaping global discourse, particularly in the technological innovation landscape. He said, both the countries must explore avenues for the US and India to jointly identify, nurture, and promote deep-tech start-ups in areas of mutual interest.
Dr Jitendra Singh also sought the support of NSF for the proposed Integrated Data System. He said, data collection at present is being done by various institutions in different ways, but the Integrated Data System will go a long way in data analytics and associated benefits. The Minister said, the knowledge partnership with NSF-National Centre for Science and Engineering Statistics will be of great value addition in terms of long-term capacity development in this area.
Dr Jitendra Singh also called for scaling up the cooperation in the Space sector and mainly in emerging areas like management of space debris. He also recalled that the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite is expected to be launched in 2023. The Minister said, Science and technology education partnership has been another dimension of the outreach—to establish linkages between American and Indian institutions and students. Education Roundtable held last year with participation of a number of STEM-focused universities.
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA, Dr. Preeti Banzal, Adviser, Office of PSA, Dr. Monoranjan Mohanty, Adviser, Office of PSA, Dr. Sindura Ganapathi, PSA Fellow, hri Shirish Panda, Scientist ‘D’, Office of PSA and Dr. B. Chagun Basha, Senior Specialist, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India joined the talks from Indian side.
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(Release ID: 1850263)
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