Sep-Oct 2022
Dear Reader,
After nearly two years, quarantine-free travel to Hong Kong is finally possible again as of this week. While this has been a tremendous relief for all residents, we now hope to see the remaining testing and isolation requirements lifted soon in order to fully re-establish Hong Kong as an international travel hub. Read more on the latest changes below.
In this issue you will also find a video interview with Johannes Hack, President of GCC, as well as other news and updates from the Hong Kong-German business community.
As always, we thank you for your continuous support and look forward to receiving your feedback. Enjoy the read and stay well!
Your GIC/GCC Team |
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Hong Kong Makes Big Step Towards Reopening |
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Hong Kong has lifted the compulsory quarantine requirement for inbound travellers for the first time since 2020. As of this week, pre-flight PCR tests and hotel quarantine upon arrival are no longer required. Instead, people arriving in Hong Kong are subject to 3 days of medical surveillance (“0+3”) with restricted access to restaurants and entertainment venues, followed by 4 days of self-monitoring.
While the step has been universally welcomed by Hong Kong residents as an important milestone on the path towards re-opening, the remaining testing and isolation arrangements will likely continue to deter business visitors. Meanwhile, Lufthansa has announced their winter schedule through March 2023, featuring daily flights between Hong Kong and Frankfurt and five weekly connections to Zurich. |
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| Johannes Hack first fell in love with Hong Kong in 2008 and has been living in the city since 2018. In this video interview, the President of the German Chamber of Commerce talks about what makes Hong Kong such an advantageous business location, what GCC will focus on in the coming year, and which hiking trail offers the best panorama of the city. |
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| Leading German science and technology company Merck signed a three-year co-incubation partnership with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) on 20 September. Under the programme, Merck and HKSTP will join forces to help start-ups and research teams in the fields of biotech and digital health scale their innovations. |
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| On 21 September, the third edition of the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs Award” took place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Among the awardees this year were two members of GCC; digital freight forwarder Forto, and supply chain software developer Topo Solutions. |
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GIC/GCC Supporting Events |
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5 – 6 Oct 2022 | HKCEC ReThink HK 2022 ReThink HK is the annual event on sustainable development in Hong Kong. The two-day conference offers a large-scale, cross-sector platform that champions ESG transformation and showcases game-changing innovation.
This year, ReThink HK will gather 300+ expert speakers on seven theatres and stages, to share and discuss insights into the key themes of circular economy, cities and mobility, decarbonisation, food and the natural world, people and purpose, as well as redefining value.
Members and friends of GCC can register for their Delegate Pass at a special discount using promo code GCCP22.
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31 Oct – 4 Nov 2022 | HKCEC + Online Hong Kong FinTech Week 2022
Organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, InvestHK, and FINNOVASIA, this year’s edition of Hong Kong FinTech Week under the motto “Pushing Boundaries, Reaping Benefits” will be held physically as well as online.
Thousands of professionals from the world of fintech and financial services, including investors, regulators and tech enthusiasts, will attend this world-class event in person, while many more will join the livestream from multiple countries around the world.
Members of GCC can register at a special 10% discount using promo code SOGCCHKPAID.
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| As the representative of several German schools in Hong Kong, German Life Global promotes studying in Germany from G8 to Master and arranges study tours, with the idea to cultivate the German mind of potential students and let them experience authentic German culture. |
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ViscoTec manufactures systems required for conveying, dosing, applying, filling, and emptying medium to high-viscosity fluids. Headquartered in Töging am Inn in Bavaria, ViscoTec has subsidiaries in the US, France, India, Singapore, Mainland China, and Hong Kong. |
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New Primary Corporate Representatives - Eastwise – Mr. Cyrille Littler, CEO
- Grand Hyatt Hong Kong – Ms. Fiona Ho, Director of Sales
- Merck Pharmaceutical (HK) Ltd. – Ms. Boonhuey Ee, General Manager Merck Healthcare Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macau
- Otto International (Hong Kong) Ltd. – Mrs. Heidi Stevens, CEO
Find all 2022-23 representative changes at a glance here. |
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Is Your Profile Up to Date?
Our online Member Directory is your access point to relevant information and contacts within the GCC network – anytime from anywhere.
To maintain a reliable source for new connections and business opportunities, it’s essential that your company profile stays up to date.
Learn how to update your profile here.
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... there are 400+ German subsidiaries in Hong Kong? |
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As of 2021, Hong Kong was home to 418 companies which are headquartered in Germany, according to survey data from the Census and Statistics Department. This was equivalent to 4.6% of all companies in Hong Kong with parent companies located outside of the territory. Germany ranked sixth overall – and second in Europe – behind Mainland China (2,080), Japan (1,388), the United States (1,267), the United Kingdom (667), and Singapore (449).
In terms of office functions, Germany also ranked sixth in the number of regional headquarters, meaning offices with managerial control over all other company offices and/or operations across the region, with 87. Among European countries, this marked the third-largest number behind the UK (138) and France (89). In addition, German companies had 147 regional offices in Hong Kong, i.e. offices which co-ordinate some additional offices and/or operations in the region, as well as 184 local offices focusing solely on the Hong Kong market.
Overall, the presence of German business in Hong Kong has remained robust over the past five years with 382 entities reported in 2017 and 420 in 2019. However, it should be noted that these statistics are only approximate figures and do not represent a definitive total of German companies in Hong Kong, as locally founded entities with German ownership are not included for instance. |
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Contact
Any questions or comments? Let us know!
Hendrik Hillebrecht Manager, Communications & Committees
T: +852 2526 5481 | D: +852 2532 1218 |
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“新聞” (“sunmun”) is the Cantonese word for “news”. GCsunmun provides you with regular news and updates from the Hong Kong–German business community.
© 2022 German Industry and Commerce Ltd. German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong 19/F, COFCO Tower | 262 Gloucester Road | Causeway Bay | Hong Kong T: +852 2526 5481 | F: +852 2810 6093
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