Hong Kong
Gov’t to relax the 'continuous contract' labour requirement
                                                                                 
                    
                    Workers under such a contract must only work 68 hours in 4 weeks.
                
                                
            Gov’t to relax the 'continuous contract' labour requirement
                                                                                                                 
                            
                            Workers under such a contract must only work 68 hours in 4 weeks.
                        
                                                
                        
    
                    Hang Seng Bank names new risk committee chairman
                                                                                                 
                        
                        Kenneth S Y Ng is stepping down from the role.
                    
                                        
                    
                HKMA warns of longer period of high HK dollar interbank rates
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The central bank said it remains 'uncertain' when the US Fed will cut rates.
                    
                                        
                    
                Provisional retail sales up 7.8% YoY in December 2023
                                                                                                 
                        
                        For the whole year, Hong Kong saw a 16.2% increase in retail sales value.
                    
                                        
                    
                Sun Life HK expands healthcare services for cross-border residents
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The high demand for this expansion is driven by demographic shifts and government support for medical collaboration between Guangdong and Hong Kong.
                    
                                        
                    
                Gov’t OKs stamp duty amendment bill
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The amendment will adjust to the demand-side management measures for residential properties.
                    
                                        
                    
                Gov’t to commence sale of rehousing estate units on February
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The rehousing projects will provide around 6,700 flats.
                    
                                        
                    
                Mortgage loans drop 25.3% MoM in December 2023
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The value of mortgage loans approved in December was $18.3b.
                    
                                        
                    
                Hong Kong to shorten restaurant licensing compliance
                                                                                                 
                        
                        Restaurants can now get a certification before an on-site check.
                    
                                        
                    
                Hong Kong banks, telcos seek tech-savvy legal professionals
                                                                                                 
                        
                        In addition to tech expertise, there’s also a growing demand for soft skills.
                    
                                        
                    
                Six in 10 Hongkongers willing to spend more on travel in 2024
                                                                                                 
                        
                        Travellers plan to splurge 30%-50% more on 2024 adventures.
                    
                                        
                    
                Economy grows 4.3% YoY in 4Q23
                                                                                                 
                        
                        For the whole of 2023, GDP grew 3.2% YoY.
                    
                                        
                    
                Allianz Trade bags win in HKB Greater Bay Area Enterprise Awards 2024
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The solution guarantees company liquidity through secured revenue streams and protects balance sheets with exceptional insurance.
                    
                                        
                    
                Standard Chartered, FreightAmigo team up to streamline financing for HK’s SMEs
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The partnership will utilise "federated learning" developed by the Hong Kong ASTRI.
                    
                                        
                    
                GienTech clinches IT Services win at HKB Greater Bay Area Enterprise Awards 2024
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The solution enables systematic IT architecture upgrades, large-scale software development, and digital transformation whilst meeting the high technical standards of the financial sector.
                    
                                        
                    
                HK regulator sets 50% insurance mandate for cryptocurrency exchanges
                                                                                                 
                        
                        Thirteen entities are currently in the application process for virtual asset trading licences.
                    
                                        
                    
                Hang Seng Bank triumphs in banking at HKB Greater Bay Area Enterprise Awards 2024
                                                                                                 
                        
                        The bank’s innovation solutions spur growth in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
                    
                                        
                    
                 
            	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                	         
                             
                             
                     
                             
           
                                 
                                 
                                 
               
                                     
                                     
                                     
 
                                                                                                
                                                
                                                                                                                                         
 
                                                                                                
                                                
                                                                                                                                         
 
                                                                                                
                                                
                                                                                                                                         
 
                                                                                                
                                                
                                                                                                                                         
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                