AmCham Hong Kong will return to Washington DC on July 16-19, for its first in-person engagement after three years of hiatus. Led by Chairman Geoff Siebengartner, the delegation will first participate in the annual AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Washington Doorknock to meet with decision makers and thought leaders who help determine the future of U.S. policy towards the Indo-Pacific region. Then the AmCham HK delegation will meet with selected policy and law makers for additional Hong Kong-centric discussions, with a key goal to highlight Hong Kong's significant role in US trade as well as American business interests in this important international city in Asia.

On May 29, AmCham Chairman Geoff Siebengartner and senior members of the Chamber had the pleasure meeting with the Qingdao Delegation led by Mayor Zhao Haozhi. Both sides exchanged dialogues to enhance commercial relations between Hong Kong and Qingdao.

This week, AmCham representatives attended a Q&A session organized by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, where major stored value facility (SVF) operators shared with International Business Committee members details about the cross-boundary payment operations.

Giving back to the community is a vital value of AmCham Charitable Foundation.

On Thursday morning, AmCham hosted the American Women's Association (AWA) Hong Kong for its Annual Tea Awards Ceremony. This is the 17th year of partnership between the AmCham Charitable Foundation and the AWA to give out grants to support charitable projects.

This year, the Foundation will support Watchdog, Justice Centre Hong Kong, Caritas Lok Yi School, and Saint Barnabas Society and Home for their charitable projects such as vocational training for students, educational programs that will empower women to learn new skills, build self-esteem and improve mental health and wellbeing, as well as scholarships for children with special educational needs from low-income families. We thank our past chairmen Rob Chipman and Gage McAfee, who are also trustees of the Charitable Foundation, for presenting the awards to the four NGO representatives.

The Foundation firmly believes that education makes a difference in the outcome of our future. As one of the leading international business chambers with over 50 years of commitment to maintaining Hong Kong’s competitiveness and stature as an international business center, it is the Foundation’s natural purpose to support tomorrow’s workforce through a series of giving programs.

Jun 6, 2023 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) | In-person

To celebrate Pride Month 2023, AmCham is hosting a panel discussion featuring speakers who will share their personal stories and experiences about LGBTQ+ identities in the workplace. This event aims to promote inclusivity and diversity within organizations.

Jun 20, 2023 (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM) | In-person

In this workshop, you will learn from a DE&I consultant, Emery Fung, through a fun interactive workshop session. By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

The Main Programme under the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS) is inviting a new round of applications for project proposals starting on June 1 from non-profit-distributing organizations such as professional bodies, trade and industrial organizations, and research institutes.

The PASS, with a total allocation of $200 million, aims at funding non-profit-making industry-led projects to increase exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong's professional services and external counterparts, promote relevant publicity activities, and enhance the standards and external competitiveness of Hong Kong's professional services.

Following the International Monetary Fund Executive Board's conclusion of the 2023 Article IV consultation with Hong Kong, the IMF released a Staff Report on May 31. The Staff Report provides a detailed analysis and assessment of Hong Kong's economic and financial situation, and affirms Hong Kong's status as a major international financial centre with robust institutional frameworks, substantial capital and liquidity buffers, high-quality financial sector regulation, and a well-functioning Linked Exchange Rate System (LERS).

It also recognizes Hong Kong's strongly recovering economy with post-COVID normalization of economic activities.

InvestHK announced the official launch of the 2023 Global Fast Track (GFT). The year-round fintech accelerator is established through three pillars - the Global Scaleup Competition, the Business Matching Platform, and the always-on GFT Alumni Programme. InvestHK, corporates, investors and partners are excited to explore collaboration opportunities with participating fintech firms. Partnering regulators of the 2023 GFT, including the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Insurance Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, together with the Customs and Excise Department, set the goal and vision to facilitating the world's most innovative fintech firms to launch and succeed in Hong Kong, across Asia, and beyond.

Jun 23, 2023 (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM) | Virtual

The next in the AmChams of Asia Pacific Virtual Doork Knock series will provide an update on the legislation and regulation being contemplated for Artificial Intelligence.

While Congress missed critical windows to install guardrails for the internet and social media, it will likely make that mistake with AI.

What is Congress concerned about? How might it legislate? What will the Biden Administration undertake to regulate AI under executive authority? And how might countries in Asia do the same based on past experience in the digital economy.

US Consulate in Hong Kong can help.

For export compliance guidance or to ask your questions about export control issues in Hong Kong, please email eco.hongkong@trade.gov